Within the art world there is a growing focus on the people behind the pieces, the collectors and their stories.
Kingston Museum is following suite and is exhibiting for the first time its Martinware Ceramics, collected by the obsessive Victorian collector and Kingston man, Ernest Marsh.
The impressive collection tells his story, revealing his obsessions and role as a patron at the museum where he was able to give the Martin brothers, two exceptional British potters, a platform and enable their creations.
Exhibitions officer, Tove Bellingham tells us that the pottery are pieces of beauty in their own right, weird and wonderful – illustrated like storybooks – with fish, dragons, animals and insects.
Bellingham says: “The new museum and art gallery opened in Kingston in 1904 and in the absence of experienced curatorial staff, Marsh’s expertise as a connoisseur and collector was often called upon.
“He was asked to organise several temporary exhibitions in the art gallery and to shape the museum collections, and in this sense he can be seen as Kingston Museum’s first curator, helping to build its reputation in the early years.
“This marked the beginning of a fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship between Marsh and the new museum, where a selection of his Martinware was on display from the first day.”
The exhibition is sure to capture the imagination of children and adults alike. Visitors will be able to see every piece of the collection in all their intricate details.
Bellingham says: "This exhibition pays tribute to the remarkable yet unsung work of Marsh whose influence reached far beyond Kingston Museum, telling the story of the unique achievements of a man driven by an all-consuming passion for ceramics."
Accompanying the exhibition will be a series of talks and events that will run at various dates throughout May and June.
They will explore everything from the marvellous melancholy of the Martin brothers to showing children how they can make their very own Martinware inspired by folktales and legends.
Treasures from our Collection: Mr. Marsh’s Martinware; Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston; April 17 to July 4; free; kingston.gov.uk/museum, call 020 8547 5006 for special event times.
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