
Picture by Jim Holden
THE CERAMIC HOUSE is the creation of architectural ceramist Kay Aplin, who has transformed her home into a living work of art and a showcase of her ceramic and glass installations. It is also a pop-up gallery, a residency for guests and artists and a venue for a variety of events. Since 2011, Kay has been curating international exhibitions of contemporary ceramic art of the highest standard in the unusual domestic context of this unique house. Each May, as part of Artists Open Houses during the Brighton Festival, The Ceramic House opens to the public in addition to occasional exhibitions, residencies and events throughout the year. It is an award-winning house (Best Artists Open House 2013) and continues to inspire and delight everyone who steps inside. The house and garden are continually evolving, with new permanent ceramic installations appearing every year, so in addition to the changing exhibitions each May, it is always new and exciting for visitors. Different emerging and established artists are sought every year according to the theme and the work is carefully curated and professionally presented to create a harmonious show within the setting of the house and garden.
In 2016, a ‘white cube’ gallery, In Camera, was inaugurated (converted from the former garage in the garden), offering a neutral space for installations and providing a space for events. In Camera website here.
2016 also saw the first residency programme for artists hosted by The Ceramic House. Kay has joined forces with sound artist Joseph Young to develop a new ongoing investigation exploring the intersection between sound art and ceramics. Residencies are usually associated with a current project involving sound and/or ceramic artists collaborating towards a project outcome (exhibitions/events/performances). See 2016 – Landscape : Islands and 2017 – Made in Korea. Studio space is provided Phoenix Brighton, where both Aplin and Young have studios.
We are developing an ongoing open application residency programme. Please get in touch if you are interested in finding out more about our residency programme. Sign up on the website to receive notifications or contact Kay to find out more.
The Ceramic House is open to the public when exhibitions are on and open by appointment year round.
The Ceramic House, 75 Stanmer Villas, Brighton BN1 7HN
Some visitor’s comments:
‘The best house I have ever stepped inside. More than just tiles and ceramics, a brilliant coherent gallery’
‘I’ve never seen ceramics like this before. Whole new worlds of wonder ’
‘Really beautiful – and often quite subversive and unexpected breadth of work (and productivity) is both breath-taking and inspiring.’ ‘Jaw-droppingly amazing!’
‘Superb, whole house is an artwork.’ ’A fabulous display that spills out of the house and takes over every crevice. Plus a lovely warm welcome. What more can you ask for?’
‘Every room has a wow factor.’
‘Extraordinary! Wonderful! Enchanting’
‘Wonderful work and what effort has gone into this fabulous display of ceramic craft! Very impressive.’
‘Jaw-droppingly amazing!’