Ann Verdcourt: Still Lives 1980 - 2007

Born in 1934 in Luton, England, Verdcourt’s earliest memories of sculpting are during World War 2, where the family’s nights were spent in an air raid shelter in the back garden. It was there that Verdcourt began sculpting with the wax that came from the candles used for lighting. From wax she created families of figures, and domestic life inside the house inspired her to create her own still life arrangements from plates, mugs and bowls. This early fascination with groups and sight lines has resonated throughout Verdcourt’s career.

Verdcourt moved to New Zealand with her husband, ceramic artist John Lawrence, and two children in 1965. Initially ceramics that came from the household were largely made to satisfy the then buoyant market for domestic ceramics. It wasn’t until the 1980s that Verdcourt’s work began to attract interest from public galleries.

Ann Verdcourt: Still Lives 1980 – 2007, which will be displayed at Objectspace, has been timed to coincide with The Portage Ceramic Awards at Lopdell House Gallery, New Zealand’s premiere ceramic awards, and is part of the REAL New Zealand Festival.