Derek’s work was rapidly increasing in popularity, and soon he was regularly driving the 60 miles down to London, to drop off his orders. While he was there he grabbed every opportunity to take in what was happening in the art world. With an insatiable appetite for all aspects of contemporary arts, he not only studied the work of fellow potters at Heal’s, like Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, and the stores guest exhibitors, such Guido Gambone and Marcello Fantoni, two leading Italian potters, who were showing there in 1954, but he took in exhibitions such as Barbara Hepworth’s at the Whitechapel, and visited the Institute of Contemporary Arts, and the Tate.
In 1954, John and Mary Clarke announced, that their first child was due the following spring and things began to change within the household, with the members starting to seek new horizons and greater stability.
Lidded jars.
8.5 x 15 cm
Moulded & hand modelled in earthenware. manganese decoration, beneath red lead glaze. 1954- 56 period.
Ref: 70