His Own Steam: A Barry Brickell Survey

This retrospective exhibition celebrates one of New Zealand’s most endearing potters. Famous for his passion for railways and conservation, the Coromandel artist relates a playful quirky nature in his works that span over five decades. He cleverly morphs locally sourced materials into figures exuding indigenous qualities of textures and colours from the landscape.

The touring exhibition includes some from the artist’s own collection, as well as private and corporate collections from around the country. 

The exhibition will be accompanied by a major publication on Barry Brickell’s work, published by the Auckland University Press. His Own Steam has been curated by Dowse Art Museum Senior Curator Emma Bugden and sociologist David Craig, in close partnership with Barry Brickell.

Image: Barry Brickell, Triple tube plate folly, early 1980s. Collection of The Dowse Art Museum. Photo by Haru Sameshima.