'Pots and Prints (63 to 1)' a solo exhibition by Mervyn Thomass

IT is difficult to believe that:- 'Pots and Prints (63 to 1)' will be celebrated local artist, Mervyn Thomas, 1st solo exhibition. Already a popular exhibitor with Regional groups and societies, this one-man-showcase at the ArtHouse in Southport will be a valuable opportunity to catch up with Mervyn's latest exploits.

Mostly self taught, Mervyn has been working with clay since he 1st studied pottery growing up in the Midlands:- "In the 1960's I was lucky enough to go to a Technical School in Birmingham where, aged 11, I 1st met up with clay. I found that I had an aptitude for making pots, and ended up studying Ceramics to A-level. I really enjoyed pottery which acted as a counter to the stresses of my other more academic subjects."

However, pains in the backs on his hands suggested that working with wet clay might not be a career option and for the next 35 years Mervyn went into farming.

"Throughout my working life, I still retained my love of and interest in ceramics. Occasionally I studied pottery at evening classes, but the sessions were few and far between. Nevertheless I maintained my enthusiasm primarily through reading:- 'Ceramic Review' magazine and by studying various books on ceramics."

When he retired, Mervyn quite naturally reconnected with clay and now fills his time making his own distinctive pots in-between managing and tutoring at the ClayWorks studio in Southport where he generously passes on his skills to newcomers.

"The main influences on my pottery have been nature, and oriental art, particularly bronze, jade and the ceramics of China and Japan. Individuals who have influenced my making are Shoji Hamada, Lucie Rie, Takeshi Yasuda and latterly Colin Pearson and John Glick."

Preferring to work in white porcelain, Mervyn is drawn to the extra challenges - "it has been likened to throwing with cream cheese!" - the difficult medium presents.

"My 1st love is throwing. Much of my work is based on the wheel. However, I love distorting and altering what I have thrown. I enjoy producing work, which is by turn delicate, brutal, experimental, surprising or quirky whilst always trying to develop and push the boundaries of my knowledge and skills."

Mervyn's investigative pursuits recently took him away from his wheel:- "Last year, I took up printing; hence the title for my exhibition. Initially my idea was to explore ways to print onto clay. However the more I learn, the more I discover that there are a myriad of different techniques that can be used. I'm still experimenting - watch this space."

Despite careful planning, Mervyn always makes room for the unpredicted to be revealed after firing:- "Having made and then applied decoration to a pot, I generally have a good idea of what I am expecting to come out of the kiln. Sometimes I am disappointed because it hasn't matched my expectations. Often though others without my preconceptions will like the pot. The capacity for serendipitous outcomes is something I find a great joy when making ceramics."

A firm believer in the tactile nature of his craft, although Mervyn advocates that:- "pots are meant to be fondled..." He advisedly asks visitors to:- "feel free to handle any of my pots in the exhibition, but please be careful!"

101 uses for a dead Dalek - number 23 forcing rhubarb:- "I like the incongruity of this pot. I call it "101 uses for a dead Dalek - number 23 forcing rhubarb". It was thrown upside down in 2 parts, the base being just tall enough to let me shut the lid of my kiln. The clay body is crank which gives extra resilience for outdoor pots and the decoration is a combination of oxides and brushed on glaze."

Moneybox:- "This pot was inspired by my grandson, who had been fired up by one of his teachers, telling him about the Benin Bronzes. Shortly after I visited the World Museum in Liverpool and made this moneybox for him. It is made from stoneware clay and decorated with a bronze glaze."

Porcelain Bowls:- "This installation of porcelain bowls was inspired by photographs of deep spaces taken by the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes. The bowls are decorated inside with particles of stoneware clay to give a granular texture. The insides are then decorated with multiple overlapping glazes, and spots of gold and silver added to represent the stars and galaxies."

This exclusive showing is certainly not 1 to be missed. Mervyn's distinctive artwork will be on display at the:- ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, Southport from:- 25 July to 5 August 2023.

Safer Streets campaign to improve women's safety returns to the streets again for the summer

A powerful visual campaign to increase women's safety, particularly around the transport network, has returned to the streets again, in Liverpool, since Monday, 17 July 2023, in time for the busy summer holidays.

The 'Safer Streets Merseyside Campaign' artwork will be featured on Merseyrail trains, at the Region's bus stations and in key locations, such as the City and town centres and by the Region's beaches and retail parks during the six-week break. It will also be featured on local radio stations.

The campaign aims to tackle Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) by making it clear to perpetrators there is No Excuse for behaviours such as catcalling and unwanted sexual comments, groping and uninvited touching. It also encourages anyone affected by sexual violence to reach out for support.

The communications campaign is just one aspect of Safer Streets Merseyside project which was developed following a survey, run by Merseyside's Police and Commissioner (PCC), Emily Spurrell, which showed 54% of women felt unsafe using public transport in Merseyside at night and nearly 42% had concerns about using it in the day.

The PCC and Liverpool City Council have now worked together to secure 2 rounds of Home Office funding to run the campaign, with the second bid being used to roll the campaign out across the whole of Merseyside.

It has also enabled the campaign to be scaled up to deliver:-

• A 'guardian project,' with LJMU student volunteers trained to provide support to those who need it in Liverpool's night-time economy, such as helping people get home or providing emotional support.
   

• Enhanced high visibility CCTV coverage along key bus routes used by students and other young people to head into and out of the City centre at night.
   

• Travel centres at each of the bus stations, creating 'safe spaces' for anyone who feels vulnerable within travel centres at each of the bus stations.
   

• An increased uniformed Police presence in transport hubs and along Liverpool's dedicated student bus routes and into the night-time economy at peak times on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as dedicated student event nights.
   

• Educational training extended to reach more than 130 primary schools across the Region raising awareness of staying safe online, sexual harassment and misogyny.
   

• A new adult education programme looking to challenge misogynistic language and attitudes using a creative resource and digital activity which is anticipated to reach up to 53,000 employees across the Region.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:- "We are determined to make our Region feel safer and be safer for women and girls, so I'm pleased we are once again rolling out our powerful visual campaign in time for the busy summer holidays, sending out a clear message once again that there is No Excuse for sexual violence. Our Safer Streets Merseyside campaign is taking a multi-pronged approach to tackling sexual violence - not just challenging perpetrators and unacceptable behaviour but also looking to change attitudes through our education programme. Through this campaign we are also taking practical steps to make sure women feel safer and give them the confidence to report incidents and seek support. This campaign is an important way I am delivering on my Region-wide VAWG Delivery Plan which sets out a clear ambition to protect women and girls who live, work and visit Merseyside, prevent violence and pursue offenders. We're making progress - but there's still more work to be done."

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Communities, said:- "This campaign is designed to be very clear that there should be zero tolerance of sexual violence towards women and girls. We need to make sure that we are giving those affected the ability to report it quickly and easily, and also for others to have the confidence to know that it must be challenged. We are committed to working with partners to tackle these issues and change the behaviour of those who don't show respect and safety for women."

Chief Superintendent Ngaire Waine, Head of Investigations, Protecting Vulnerable People, Merseyside Police said:- "I welcome the return of the Safer Streets campaign as we gear up to the busy summer period. Merseyside Police and partners continue to work together to make our streets safer for women and girls and send a clear message to perpetrators that these unacceptable behaviours will not be tolerated. No woman or girl should feel unsafe in her community, and I hope that the measures put in place as part of the campaign help to improve their feelings of safety and demonstrate that there is no excuse for sexual violence and harassment in Merseyside."