WALTER DEXTER/CAROL SABISTON SHOW

Iam truly sorry that I am unable to augment this comment
with at least one illustration of Walter Dexter's latest
show, which was held from June 19th to July 3rd, in the
Print Gallery, Victoria, B.C.

An odd way, perhaps, to describe the total effect, but

one that keeps occurring to me in retrospect, is a
kaleidoscope of shape and colour. The gallery's exhibit
area is spacious,allowing for islands of interest which

can be properly appreciated and allow freedom of movement
before going on to the next. In this way articles on
display can be seen at first in a grouping and then
examined individually - a point both beneficial to the
display and appreciated by the observer.

Held in conjunction with Carol Sabiston's highly coloured,
imaginative and skillfully artistic wall hangings, Walter's
pottery pieces were in no way overwhelmed but beautifully
complimented. Despite his large output, Walter's work
never seems to settle into mechanical sameness. As in
other shows, here was an endless variety of colour shape,
style, technique and firing range. There were boxes and
plates, goblets, vases, bowls and wall hangings, and
they ranged from raku through stoneware to porcelain. Each
piece was a statement of well-controlled spontaneity and
artistic imagination of which this potter is so capable.

A new note in this show was the inclusion of the porcelain.
These were wheel thrown pieces, some with impressed
decoration and all with highly colourful glazes. Bold,
simple oxide and gold decoration imparted an oriental
quality. In summary, this was a very stimulating and
much appreciated exhibit.

Pam Hansen

20.