Ceramic Vessel by Bernard Rooke, Mid-20th Century, England

Monumental or oversize studio ceramic table lamp in natural tones by Bernard Rooke, England mid-20th century. A beautiful statement piece, hand-built, with organic shaping in natura...

A small ceramic totem lamp by Bernard Rooke - London, England 1960s - together with a simple conical shade. This is an early piece, hand-built with lots of interesting texture and g...

A large, or oversize, ceramic TOTEM table lamp by Bernard Rooke, England. This design is an early example of Rooke's work, probably 1960s. A sculptural piece, made of hand-made cer...

A mid-20th century totem lamp by ceramicist Bernard Rooke, England. An early piece, and unusual to see this example of Rooke's work; hand-built, with great character. A tall piece ...

A large, or oversize, ceramic TOTEM table lamp by Bernard Rooke, England. This design is an early example of Rooke's work - probably 1960s - a sculptural piece in natural tones of ...

A large, or oversize, ceramic TOTEM table lamp by Bernard Rooke, England. A sculptural piece, made of hand-made ceramic elements in natural tones of terracotta, stone and dark gree...

An organic and Brutalist style vase with Medallion motif on front and verso. Bernard Rooke (born 1938) is a British artist and studio potter. Rooke has exhibited his "Brutalist" ceramics and painting both in the UK and abroad with work in many collections both public and private including the Victoria and Albert Museum, Cleveland Museum of Art, Nuffield Foundation, Röhsska Museum in Sweden and the Trondheim Kunstmuseum in Norway. Bernard Rooke attended Ipswich School of Art studying painting and lithography before going on to study at Goldsmiths College of Art. It was while studying here that he decided to take up pottery. Although unfamiliar with this craft and tradition, he found that working with clay provided new opportunities for freedom of interpretation and creativity. In 1960 Rooke set up his first pottery in Forest Hill in South London along with Alan Wallwork. It was a very small room with enough space for a small electric kiln. He was initially using mainly hand building, coiling, blocking and slabbing techniques. While researching ideas, he was supporting himself by part-time lecturing at London University, Goldsmiths College and St Mary's College. In addition, Rooke's membership of 'The Craftsman Potters' Association' enabled him to show his work in a shop in Carnaby Street in London. In 1967, both the need for a larger working space and becoming disillusioned with living in London spurred Rooke into moving out of the city and to an old mill building in Swilland in Suffolk. Rooke wanted to widen the range of work so as to become more commercial. With the birth of his son, Aaron, and much needed work to be done on the mill, it was important to be able to make a living. In 1968, the Grand Metropolitan Hotel commissioned Rooke to make 120 standard lamps, 120 table lamps as well as a 24 foot long ceramic mural and another 9 foot high, which incorporated interior lighting. The money from the commission helped to pay for much needed restoration work on the mill. By the 1970s, a gallery space was opened in the windmill and run by Susan Rooke, Bernard's wife, selling work to locals and tourists as well as to American airmen based nearby. The vision for Mill Gallery was beginning to develop and alongside this a reputation was building bringing in a good source of income. Sons Aaron and Felix were becoming more involved with the running of the pottery, giving Bernard more time to develop new ideas and designs and more time to continue with his painting. In 2004, the Rooke family decided not to sell to the public through the gallery anymore and close the pottery to concentrate more on painting and printmaking. In 2017 Bernard's lighting was featured in the Exhibition: “Glass, Light, Paint & Clay” at the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition featured four artists: Bernard Rooke, John Maltby...

Handcrafted by Bernard Rooke of England, this ball shaped studio vase is decorated with hand formed squirrels and English oak leaves A super piece from Rooke's studio, circa 1970s ...

Brutalist ceramic vase by Bernard Rooke, England, 1970s. In 1960 he set up his own workshop in Forest Hill, London. Progressive designs were rea...

Brutalist midcentury hand formed and signed bij Bernard Rooke contains two vases, a decanter with two cups. Bernard Rooke (born 1938) is a British artist and studio potter. Rooke ha...

A very nice Brutalist earthenware pottery vase by Bernard Rooke, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips, cracks or crazing and measures 5.5" W x 4" D ...

Bernard Rooke Studio Pottery Dragonfly Decanter is a beautiful example made by the renowned British artist and potter, Bernard Rooke. Bernard Rooke's artistic journey began at the ...