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Locomorph

In an odd marriage of interests, Waikato Art Museum’s ceramics collection began in 1974 with the help of the Hamilton Motorcycle Club.

The organisation kindly donated proceeds from its 'Founders Theatre Circuit Charity Road Race' event to the Museum, as an acknowledgement of Hamilton City Council’s support that enabled motorcycle enthusiasts to race on the streets of Hamilton.

Until the race was discontinued, the Museum received some $10,000, most of which went toward building a collection of Aotearoa New Zealand studio ceramics. 

Maker

Barry Brickell

Ua
When

c. 1983

Media

Ceramic terracotta sculpture

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Visionary artist

In the early-1980s, the Museum’s ceramics collection skewed towards acquisition of works by emerging contemporary potters, while still adhering to themes including historic figures and artistic achievement.

Barry Brickell was among those recognised as a visionary artist whose production was worthy of close attention. 

Commissioned ceramics

Most of the Brickell pieces, including the large multi-component railway works, were commissioned for a ceramics exhibition ‘Visions of an Imperfect Utopia’ proposed by Waikato Art Museum Director Ken Gorbey in the early 1980s.

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