Daniel Kavanagh

View Daniel Kavanagh’s works featured on Ceramics Now Magazine

“Forms are classical yet contemporary defined by crisp elegant lines and flowing shapes; inspired by ancient Greek pottery and Japanese as well as the art and architecture of South East Asia. The Highland landscape is a constant, ever changing influence in my work, drawing inspiration from the light, space and reflective qualities this vast landscape offers.

Contrast is an important aspect to my work the interplay between control and unpredictability, traditional and contemporary, solid but with a feeling of lightness. Despite these contrasting qualities I always aspire to create something that is both beautiful and complete. I enjoy the interplay of more organic and fortuitous surfaces applied to these controlled forms which create a distinct finish to the work. Work that combines ceramic and bronze materials provide an innovative exploration of the two mediums I am most passionate about. Using these materials within one form allows me to adapt very different approaches during the creative process, firstly by throwing on the potter’s wheel which is a very symmetrical process compared to the abstract experience of working roughly with a piece of bronze. I am beginning to explore the experience of how a thrown form can then be adapted to become a piece of sculpture in its own right.

My ceramic works is either hand thrown or handbuilt using earthenware clay, some pieces are formed using a selection of parts, which are then assembled by hand and fired up to temperatures of around 1100 degrees. I apply metallic lustres to the ceramic surface which share the reflective quality I look for when working in bronze. My work attempts to create parallels between contemporary Fine Art and Craft practices.” Daniel Kavanagh

Daniel Kavanagh’s C.V. (resume) – View his works

EXHIBITIONS
2011: ‘Solo Ceramic Showcase’ , Leeds craft and design centre, Leeds
2010: Ferrers Gallery, Ashby De La zouch, Leciestershire
2010: Harding House gallery, Lincoln
2010: Just Art, Fochabers, Morayshire.
2010: Solo Show – Inverness City Art Gallery and Museum
2010; ‘Made It’ Inverness City Art Gallery and Museum
2010: `Black and Gold Exhibition’, The Platform Gallery, Clitheroe, Lancashire
2009: The Gallery at Bevere, Bevere, Worcestershire
2009: `Wrapped up’, The Devon Guild of Craftsman, Bovey Tracey, Devon
2009: `gifted’, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
2010: Art in Action
2010: Potfest in the Park
2010: ‘Keeping the burners lit’, An Talla Solais, Ullapool Arts Centre.

CAREER HISTORY
2005 – Present: Setting up of studio workshop and business; ‘Daniel Kavanagh Fine Art Ceramics & Sculpture’.
2005 – Present: Self employed Bronze Chaser, clients include: Powderhall Fine Art Foundry, Edinburgh. Scottish Sculpture workshop, Lumsden, Aberdeenshire, & individual artists.
2000-2005: Head Bronze Chaser, Black Isle Bronze, Nairn.
1997-2000: Bronze Chaser, Pangolin Editions, Stroud, Gloucestershire.

EDUCATION
1994-1996: Loughbrough College of Art and Design. 3D Ceramics.
1992-1994: Stroud School of Art, Stroud, Gloucestershire. BTEC National Diploma in Art & Design.
1991-1992: Cirencester College; Gloucestershire. BTEC First Diploma in Art and Design.

GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2009: Henderson Gallery, Thistle Street, Edinburgh
2009: `Atmosphere and light’ The Stathearn Gallery, Crieff, Perthshire.
2009 `Spa Potters exhibition’, Milton of Crathes Gallery, Banchory. Aberdeen.
2008 `HOS Members Exhibition’ Eden Court Theatre. Inverness.
2008 `Highland Artists Exhibition’, Bridge View Gallery, Aberdeen.
2008 `Summer Mixed Exhibition’ The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff, Perthshire 2008
2008 `Silver Smithing Week’ Cone 9 Ceramics North Berwick
2008: `Spring Exhibition’, Green Gallery, Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire 2008: `Winter Exhibition’ Torrance Gallery, Edinburgh
2007: `Analach Inspirational’ Scottish Parliament Edinburgh.
2007: `Christmas Exhibition’ Inchmore Gallery, Inverness-shire
2007: `SPA Annual Exhibition’ Broughton Gallery, Biggar,
2007: `HOS Members Exhibition’ Limetree Gallery, Fort William.
2007: `Summer Exhibition’ Thin dog Gallery, Cirencester Gloucestershire
2007: `Summer Exhibition’ Tore Gallery, Inverness-shire
2007: `Spring Exhibition’ Inchmore Gallery, Inverness-shire
2007: `Designs in the Making’ Six Cities Design Festival, Inverness
2007: `Analach Inspirational’ Six Cities Design Festival, Inverness
2007: `VAS Scotland Annual‘ Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2007: `15th Spring Exhibition’ Logie Steading Art Gallery Forres, Moray
2006: `Atumn Mixed Exhibition’ Powderhall Gallery. Edinburgh
2006: `Mixed Summer Exhibition, Larks Gallery, Braemar.
2006: `Tartan Week’ 32 Gramercy Fine Art Gallery. New York
2005: `Mixed Winter Exhibition’ Castle Street Gallery. Inverness
2005: `Mixed Winter Exhibition 2005 Gallery Heinzel. Aberdeen 2005: `Summer Mixed Exhibition’ Castle Street Gallery. Inverness

COMISSIONS
2009: Inchmore Gallery, Inchmore Inverness-shire.
2008: The Roddy Stewart Memorial Award Performing Arts.

TEACHING
2008: A series of 2 day workshops ‘hand building in clay’ at Inchmore Gallery, Inchmore.
2010: Evening Classes in ‘Handbuilding with clay’, Moray Arts Centre, Forres Morayshire

RESIDENCY
2010: Cove Park Craft Residency

AWARDS
2009: Newcomer of the Year Award at the British Craft Trade Fair, Harrogate
2009: Hi Arts – Makers Award.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
– Scottish Potters Association

COLECTIONS
– Gallery H, Arnside, Cumbria
– Gallery Bevere, Worcestershire
– Sheila Fleet Gallery, Kirkwall, Orkney
– The Strathearn Gallery, Crieff
– Inchmore Gallery, Inverness
– Timespan, Helmsdale, Caithness

PUBLICATIONS
2006: Ink Magazine
2007: The Nairnshire Telegraph
2008: Inverness Courier
2008: July Hi Arts- Feature
2009: Hi Arts Maker of the month
2009: Craftsman Magazine
2009: Craftsman Magazine
2009: Craftsman Magazine
2009: Press and Journal
2010: Spring Edition of Scottish Potters Magazine
2010: Press and Journal
2010: Inverness Courier
2010: Hi- Arts – Feature