Exhibition inspired by home

A ceramic artist who grew up in Langold has used the village as inspiration for her latest exhibition, now showing at Bassetlaw Museum.
Joanne Barlow's exhibition Domestic Industrial has gone on show at Bassetlaw MuseumJoanne Barlow's exhibition Domestic Industrial has gone on show at Bassetlaw Museum
Joanne Barlow's exhibition Domestic Industrial has gone on show at Bassetlaw Museum

Joanne Barlow is now based in Cardiff, but her work for the ‘Domestic Industrial’ showcase draws from her roots right here in Bassetlaw.

The exhibition sees lots of tiny ceramic houses strategically placed around the museum, on Grove Street in Retford, and they are quite a sight to behold.

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Joanne says her inspiration came from the cultural changes that took place in the Langold area due to the demise of traditional heavy industries throughout the 1970s and 80s.

She has collected photographs and clay records from various sites around the village over the last three years.

The aim was to catalogue both the past and present, and investigate notions or preservation, creation, tradition and modernity.

The resulting works use a variety of ceramic processes, ranging from traditional industrial soda kilns to contemporary digital photographic techniques.

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Numerous clay houses are placed throughout Bassetlaw Museum in keeping, Joanne says, with its displays on local history.

Domestic Industrial is on display at the museum until Thursday 16th May. Visitors are invited to gently and carefully handle the works, as well as simply look at them.

Joanne is also running a series of clay workshops today, Friday, along the theme ‘House and Home’.

They are open to all ages, although under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

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The workshops are free, but there are limited places so booking is essential.

Workshops run from 10.30am - 12 noon and 1.30pm - 3pm. Do not wear your best clothes as you will be working with clay.

To book your place on a workshop, or to find out more about the exhibitions at Bassetlaw Museum call 01777 713749 or visit www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk

Bassetlaw Museum is at 40 Grove Street, Retford, DN22 6LD.