Peter Urquhart was Chairman of the Bluecoat Display Centre’s Board of Trustees from 2001 until 2018, following his retirement as a circuit judge. Over that time, he was an invaluable support to our organisation, the Directors Maureen Bampton and subsequently Samantha Rhodes, and our wider staff team. Peter played a pivotal role in the Display Centre achieving charitable status in 2010. He was a great supporter of and champion for our represented makers – always attending preview and maker events, keen to know about the makers and their practice, and often buying work as a result of meeting and talking to them.
Last year Caro, Jess and Nathaniel Urquhart kindly gifted Peter’s collection of contemporary craft work, acquired over the years from the Display Centre, back to us. This was with a view to it being sold and the monies raised awarded to a local maker, and we now hope this would enable the commission of a piece to donate to the Walker Art Gallery’s decorative arts collection in Peter’s name.
From Wednesday 15 September we will show Peter’s collection at the Bluecoat Display Centre. Pieces will be marked with a suggested selling price for anyone to then leave their highest bid, either in person or remotely via email or telephone.
We will close the bids at 12 noon on Sunday 26 September and contact the highest bidders by 5pm on Monday 27 September.
A selection of images of all the pieces in the collection are shown below. For more information on each piece, including images and dimensions, please click on the links below.
Watch a short film of Peter talking about his relationship with the Bluecoat Display Centre and the Bluecoat art gallery at My Bluecoat Stories.
‘Mug with Feathers’ framed print by Angie Lewin. Click here for more info.
Left: Lidded Jar by Jacob van der Beugel. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Vessel by Sara Flynn. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Left: ‘Evolutionary Blunders’ Automata by Neil Hardy. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: ‘Carnivorous Sheep’ Automata by Neil Hardy. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Left: Bird Brooch (with egg) by Tom Hill. Click here for more info.
Right: Reptile Wire Sculpture by Tom Hill. Click here for more info.
Left: Detail of ‘Reef’ Stoneform by Peter Layton. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Detail of Carved Vessel by Lanty Ball. Click here for more info.
Left: Small Tenmoku Sugar Bowl by Chris Keenan. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Centre: Tall Tenmoku Lidded Jar by Chris Keenan. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Celadon Beaker with Thorns by Chris Keenan. Click here for more info.
Left: Jug by Donald Glanville. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Jug by John Leach. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Left: Articulating Wooden Gecko by Jeff Soan. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Articulating Wooden Flatfish by Jeff Soan. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Left: Detail of ‘Fallen Flapper’ by Hilary Brock. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Detail of Steel Wall Cell by Junko Mori. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Engraved Landscape Scene by Alison Kinnaird. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Left: ‘With Affection & Appreciation’ Bowl by Deborah Hopson-Wolpe. Click here for more info. (Sold)
Right: Cat Sculpture by Melanie Tomlinson. Click here for more info. (Sold)