CAG.2850 John ffrench, Egg (Orange with white stars), undated, ceramic, 10 x 7 x 7 cm. Presented, Sofia and Crispina ffrench in memory of their father John ffrench, 2013. © the artist’s estate.

We’re having one last ‘Easter’ egg (promise!) with this WORK OF THE WEEK.

Egg (Orange with white stars) is one of five ceramic eggs by John ffrench (1928-2010) in the collection. Each is distinctively decorated with various forms in vibrant shades of orange, blue, and purple, which reflect a Mediterranean influence – ffrench’s mother, Sofia ‘Fifi’ Brambilla (1893-1984), was Italian.

This particular egg has several white stars of different sizes painted across its surface; blue dots at their centre and each encircled by a band of deeper orange against a paler orange ground. Such differences between similar forms attests to ffrench’s interest in one-off designs and hand-built approach to ceramics.

The ceramicist lived for a time at the ashram (spiritual hermitage) in Sevagram and the lifestyle, ethos, and craft tradition in India would have a marked impact on his own ceramic work back in Ireland.

Our collection of John ffrench ceramics can be viewed on Floor 2 later this week as the gallery and café reopen on Thursday 21 April!

A fully-illustrated book, The Life and Work of John ffrench (2017) by Peter Lamb, is available from our bookshop and online shop.

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