Watts Chapel

I was amazed when I first saw photographs of this place, in a magazine a few years ago. I was even more impressed when I read of how it had been hand built by locals,

 under the direction of Mary Watts.

I had opportunity to visit, en route to the south coast, last weekend. These are my photographs but with poor weather and light - there are many far better here and other places on the net.

The interior decoration has been created using gesso and an array of materials to form the relief,

 including felt, chicken wire and rope.

I love how the colours reflect light and glow through the darkness.

The whole place is full of symbolism.

I liked best of all the red brick exterior but here I have to rely on others' photographs.

 The chapel was built using clay dug from Mary Watts' garden.

 After the completion of the chapel, in the early nineteen hundreds, she held pottery and clay modelling classes for locals. Those students became professional, forming the Compton Potters' Art Guild and then Compton Pottery, which continued until 1956. 

 Each angel face is individual.

Exterior images from Peter Cook on flickr

Sue Roddis and Gothic Bohemian Stock.

 

V&A Hidden Riches

Of course the V&A building is a fabulous exhibit in itself. Here is a piece without refurbishment, trapped above the ceiling of an exhibition hall. To me the combination of riveted steel, Victorian ornament and dusty, rusty colour is quite beautiful.

Very steam punk.

I've walked past the little window revealing it before, but yesterday the sun was shining. A security guard seeing me trying to get a good view unlocked the door for me and even held my lens cap.

Have a Peaceful Christmas



Crucible

David Mach - Calvary Crucifixion

Eduardo Paolozzi RA - Vulcan

Leonard McComb RA - Young Man Standing

Lynn Chadwick RA - Teddy Boy and Girl

Jon Buck - Dove

Blunderbird Moa Bike - Joe Rush

Just a few of the sculptures in the wonderful "Crucible" at Gloucester Cathedral. Thank you to Sue Brown for the tip. The exhibition is extensive and spread throughout the cathedral, inside and out. I'm sure I missed some pieces but there was just so much to see it needed a couple of hours at least. Cathedrals are for people to congregate and on Saturday there was a real buzz. I gasped more than once to see children clambering over some of the pieces and watched a teenager sitting on one of Peter Randall-Page's boulders, idly rocking it backwards and forwards. The artist probably expected such treatment but I do hope the boy had at least looked at the piece. I may well go back again but, hopefully, for some quiet contemplation next time, there are plenty of spots designed for just that.

Lynn Chadwick RA - Cloaked Figure

Blessed with sunshine I also walked around the dock area and came across the Arts & Crafts Centre. 

A great place for gift shopping, such as Kath Cooper's  ceramics and it sounds as if some of the artists will be offering workshops and classes. Lucky Gloucester to have such venues.