World class maker Ashraf Hanna exhibits largest collection at Waterside

World-class maker Ashraf Hanna exhibits in the Lauriston Gallery at Waterside this autumn.

© Waterside

Originally from Egypt and now making from his studio in Pembrokeshire, Ashraf is a highly collected maker and this is the largest collection of his work to be shown in the North West.

Now widely renowned in the contemporary craft world, Ashraf began his career as a ceramicist in 1997, predominantly working in clay creating striking forms using various kiln firing techniques. Growing up in Egypt, Ashraf was surrounded by pottery forms that have changed little since ancient times, classical forms that have filtered through the ages, touched and formed by the hand of the potter.

Over 25 years of making, Ashraf has become a highly collected artist with work held in a number of significant museum collections. Both Ashraf’s ceramics and his most ambitious glass work to date have been purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

On completing his MA in Ceramics & Glass at the Royal Northern College of Art in 2001, Ashraf began to incorporate glass sculptures into his range of work.

Though a smaller part of his practice, Ashraf quickly made a significant impact within the glass art community, winning the British Glass Biennale Award for Best Show.

Ashraf’s vessels surpass functionality, creating a more poetic and meditative approach to his making. This selling showcase will bring together both his large-scale ceramic and glass artworks, in addition to smaller ceramic pieces.

© Waterside

The exhibition runs until Saturday 05 October. Free entrance, all welcome.

Alongside Ashraf Hanna, exhibiting in Gallery ’74 is Unapologetically Other by Mixed Rage Collective; a mixed media exhibition by collective members telling their experiences of being mixed heritage. The thought-provoking exhibition will display artworks which act as both a celebration of mixed cultures, whilst also prompting visitors to consider the effects of ‘othering’, lack of representation, micro-aggressions and displacement of mixed heritage.

Workshops: Saturday 05 October between 1pm and 4pm

Two members of the Mixed Rage Collective will run an afternoon of creativity, drawing inspiration from this mixed-media exhibition. Jane Thakoordin, textile artist, will be leading a fabric banner-making workshop, and Niall Singh, collage artist, will be leading a photomontage/collage-making workshop.

These are ‘pay what you can’ workshops; find out more.