Harry and May Davis: Potters,
‘The Potter's Altemative

Throughout their Myear career as por-
ters, Harry and Mav Davis stressed sell-
sulticiency not only for themselves but asa
way to help others. At potteries on four
continents, they capitalized on the “indus
trial debris” of Wester civilization, build-
ing equipment to process raw materials
and facilitate production. This filrn baogra-
phy tells their story, weaving recollections
with Wansidienal narration as the camera
shows them ar work at their potlery in New
Zealand. along with stills of scenes in Eng-
land, Ghana and Pens.

Amer working al the Leach Pouery in
Saint Ives in the early “30s. Harry was hired
to train potters in Ghana, West Africa, where
circumstances forced him to investirare the
potential of bocal raw materials. But it was
after the war, when he and Mav rervumed ca
England to establish a pottery in Conall,
Ubal reeveling equipment became a major
interest. Here, they made an effort to dis
cover how many practices “enjoved by in-
dustry could be incorperated in studio
production without adversely affecting the
results.

Over tbe veara, Hany became increas
ingly disenchanted with “the new breed of
potters” whose refusal to use industrial tech-
niques pushed prices for pow 10 high in
his view, He was also opposed to what he
termed “the cult of personality.” which
emphasized the makers name bevond the
po. (All of the Davises’ work was suum ped
onlywith their workshop mark.) Irenicaly,
this film will have the effect of promoung
the names of Harry and May Davis bewoned
that of their pots,

In 1962, interestin peace activives and it
desire to find a better place for vheir family
brought Harry and Mav to New Zealand,
Again they relied on alternative engincer-
ing anc potlery techniques to establish a
successful powers in Crewenna. [nt che film,
Harry and owo assistants build a pug mill
(ike the one in operauon at Ube pottery),
using scrap metal and a selection of rela-
Uvely semple tools readily fend or made
throughout the world,

The selling of fis equipment plans even-
tuly helped finance a pouen uaining
facilicy in Pena, where the Davies wanted
te help alleviate poverty be teaching re-
mote villagers how i make a variety of
ceramne objects (flower pots, roof les,
brieks, insulators) from local materials.

The film concludes with a statement
(read by May) that Hany had prepared
prior to his death in July 1986: “Ln all has, 1
have deliberately sought to eliminate the
romantic picture of the artist at work. In-
stead, [ have brought omether a group of

methods involving exiremely lite capital
outlay, A really practical approach to the
chores of po. making need not be the pre-
rogatie of those with capital Sor docs a
putter need to get bagged down in uriteld
monotonous repetition. In fect, time can
be released for nonrepetitive, creative work.
This approach offers an escape from the
seduction of competion and the endless
talk of prize money which has been intro
duced by commercial corporaions seek-
ing yet more publicity under the guise of
art sponsorship.” 52 minuies Available as
twereel Alm (S04) purchase, $66 rental;
plus $7 postage and handling), and VHS of
Beta videocassette ($4) purchase only, phis
$2.50 postage and handling). Atld Film Drs
trftion, Box M830, Ridgecrest, Cattformia
93553; (619%) 375-8881.

OPPORTUNITIES

Instructor required for the
fol lowing:

Downtown Handicapped Assoc'n
requires a ceramic instructor
for approx. 2 hours during
the day, to work with 3 to 4
people, handbuilding.
Honorarium. Contact Richard
at 681-8365,

New Westminster Sec. School
at 8th and Canada Way
requires a night school
instructor in ceramics.
Contact Audrey at 527-8200.

The West Coast Clay Sculpture
Association will host an
evening with Debra Sloan at
7:30 pn on Friday, February
i?th at the Burnaby Art
Centre's Studio 3 in the
James Cowan Theatre. Debra
will present a slide show
synopsis of her 20 years of
elay sculpture work. The
cost 1s $2.50 to non-members
of the Association.

A general membership meeting
will be held at 6:45pm the
same evening, and those
interested in the newly-
formed organization are very
welcome to attend. Call Janet
Stliske at 960-0567 for
further information.

CALLS FOR ENTRY

The Cammmity Arts Council of
Vancouver invites residents
to enter their llth annual
r Juri ition.
For further information,
contact the Council at 683-
4358. Other regional arts
councils are similarly
gearing up for the May 26-30
Festival of the Arts in
Trail, B.c.
Contact your local office.

The Alberta Potters' Assoc.
invites entries in its
exhibition “Set the Table":
Interpreting Form and _

Punction. Contact Rob Mabee
at the APA, Box 5303, Stn. A,
Calgary, T2H 1X6, or contact

this Guild office for
details.

FOR SALE:

Brent CXC wheel, S600. Rene

at 888-9708

Top-loading 10 cu.ft. Olympic
gas kiln, incl. 6 burners, 8
shelves. Easy to dismantle.
Rita at 922-2038

Pottery books for sale. Call
Linda at 737-2971

FOUND:
A 10 ™ springform pan was
left behind at Emily Carr
after the John Gill workshop.
May be picked up at _ the
office!

pss