We have heard rumours that Harvey Nichols is planning some pretty cool arts happenings in it’s spaces and now we have confirmation that this is indeed true. Without further investigation (which trust us, we are on to) we are taking the view that this could be a marriage made in heaven for local artists producing work of high quality…We’ll not prejudge any futher but will get along ot the private view of ‘Venetian Crystal/Atlantic Surf’ (to which you are invited) on Monday 26th to enjoy Kerry Harker’s exhibition on the 4th Floor.

RSVP is essential (Katherine.Busby@harveynichols.com)

To win an original Kerry Harker, tell us what year Grayson Perry won the Turner Prize,and your favourite pantone reference  in the comments box below. The winner will be picked 27th  July.

Kerry explains a little more about the work in this exhibition

These bone china plates are presented here in a new installation for Harvey Nichols: the title refers to the paint colours used to provide a backdrop for the work. Colour is central: each plate carries the name of a colour, but is painted in a completely different one. I’m interested in how objects are divided up into ‘fine art’ and ‘decorative art’ categories. Ceramics can be carriers of meaning, just like paintings on canvas, and have been political, subversive, humorous and coveted as much as any great work of art at various stages in their history. I think the work also questions the dominance of the written word: can the image (the colour of the painted word) transcend its written meaning?

The plates themselves are high-quality bone china, a lovely pure white surface to work on. The names of the colours are laboriously hand-painted in ceramic enamels, and each one is fired in the kiln up to four or five times at high temperatures to achieve such saturated colour. The plates are for sale individually, ranging from £100 – £200 each.

Kerry Harker was born in Whitby, North Yorkshire, and now works as an artist and curator based in Leeds. She has exhibited in group shows nationally including BT New Contemporaries (Camden Arts Centre, London and touring 1994-5); Cool Hunting (Talbot Rice Gallery, Edinburgh 2005); Collect (V&A Museum, London 2005); and Home Truths (Harewood House 2009). Solo shows include Miniature Masterpieces of Delicacy, Humour & Colour (Derby Museum & Art Gallery 2004) and Work and Play (Saltburn Artists’ Projects, North Yorkshire 2007). Forthcoming exhibitions include a group show at the Dickens Museum, London, later this year.

Kerry Harker is a Director and co-founder of PSL [Project Space Leeds] and Exhibitions Curator for Harewood House Trust.