Collecting Loretta Braganza
We invited a number of collectors involved with public and private collections to talk about what prompted them to collect Loretta's works. They provide fascinating insights into the dynamics of collecting - the emotional, aesthetic and intellectual triggers - that prompt a purchase.
“"I began collecting Loretta's sculptural ceramics probably over 20 years ago.
Ruth CormanCorman Arts, London
The first pieces were - a triptych from the Elemental Vessels series. As a gallerist I sell ceramics but there is no way I will ever part with this trio. They give me endless pleasure each time I look at them. Since then I have extended my collection of Loretta's work to include about a dozen more. She is one of the few artists whose work I covet - it is always a 'must-have' reaction.
Loretta's style has changed slightly over the years but it still retains the same aesthetic and integrity of the early work. She moves in new directions but never fails to excite with her new ideas. She exemplifies a knowledge of and skill with her materials. Loretta is one of the few artists who is able to combine outstanding forms with a range of fascinating surface techniques in order to produce her distinctive and singular sculptural pieces.
I eagerly await the next collection."
”
“"I first encountered Loretta Braganza's work at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in 2005. It was an encounter - I had no idea the work was there nor had I, to my shame, ever heard of the artist. I was at the Sculpture Park for other reasons and saw the sign to the curved gallery through the wall. I still don't know whether it was the shapes or the colours or the textures that stopped me in my tracks - literally - probably a combination of them all plus the thrill of discovering something, objects that I knew I would always love and treasure and enjoy.
Duke of DevonshireKCVO CBE DL
I spent a long time walking up and down that shallowly stepped gallery, looking and admiring and, I am afraid, longing for possession of some of these works.
The admiration I had then for these pieces and their creator has grown with further exposure to Braganza's work and I have followed her new ideas with equal admiration.
The pleasure of observing the work, representing several different stages in Braganza's career, of seeing them in different light and in different surroundings increases with familiarity.
Who knows where her journey will take her? For sure it will be worth following very closely and the pleasure in store from that following will, I know be deeply satisfying and probably rather surprising."
”
“A number of works by Loretta Braganza are an important part of Bradford's International Art Collection, charting stages of her creative practice over three decades. The hugely successful Crafts Council group touring exhibition Diverse Cultures (1990) provided an enticing introduction to the artist's work. The quality and excellence of Braganza's ceramics, made the decision to acquire her work for the collection inevitable.
Nilesh MistryMuseum Officer, Bradford Museums and Galleries
The first acquisition comprising six turquoise vessels incorporated Braganza's signature fluted bodies with flared rims narrowing to the base. A group of three entitled Elemental Vessels (1997) explore the realm of asymmetry whilst Forms Remembered, four individual ceramics produced in 2011 (Cashew Fruit, Aubergine, Custard Apple and Strange Fruit) relate to the natural world but yet seem unearthly.
The relationship between a collecting gallery and the artist is one of mutual benefit. For Bradford Museums and Galleries collecting the work of Braganza demonstrates a commitment to support and promote the wealth of talent demonstrated by established artists, those at the start of their career, and others not quite acknowledged in the mainstream.
Braganza's artistic practice demonstrates her ability to create new and imaginative work incorporating a diverse repertoire of shape and form, further enhanced by surface decoration. Her work straddles a fine line between the vessel and sculpture, taking, amongst others, inspiration from nature, geometry, and pottery traditions including those from India. She balances form and finish to respond to the real world and the human experience. The new body of work in Clay Journeys does just this, providing thought provoking dialogue with the viewer.
”
“I first saw the work of Loretta Braganza at the old Ruskin Gallery in Sheffield. My architect's eye was caught by her exquisite abstract line drawings which always form part of the sculptural form and surface decoration of her work. I was also interested in the very original techniques which she employs in the surfaces of all her works, including the increasing use of stains and underglaze colours.
Alan HitchcockPrivate Collector, York
Loretta's more recent works have been inspired by natural forms, in particular her series of tropical fruits and vegetables, decorated in quite strong colours and textured surfaces as well as in pure white clay - one of which I bought - in the form of a large seed pod decorated overall by tiny typescript numbers, barely visible at first sight, incised into the surface. A most original piece.
I look forward with keen anticipation to seeing the latest works of this very original artist at her forthcoming exhibitions.
”
“"I first became acquainted with the work of Loretta Braganza while viewing a private collection. The collection included a few of Ms. Braganza's ceramic pots. The unique blue hue of one pot caught my eye. The colour of this pot was unlike any other that I had ever seen. The combination of that unique colour and the special shape of this pot made me an instant fan of this artist. I asked a third party to procure three pots crafted by Ms. Braganza on my behalf, to add to my personal collection. Anticipation on my part to see these pots was quite great, and I was not left disappointed. One selection has a blue colour that rivals the quality of the work that initially piqued my interest. The other two pots are similar to the remarkable shapes in the Transitions collection. Many thanks to Loretta for continuing her inspiring work!"”
Dr. Ajit BelliappaNew York USA
“Loretta Braganza is a significant York-based artist and ‘Twelve Apostles’ is one of her strongest works. It demonstrates her skill at hand-built ceramics and coloured surfaces. These anthropomorphic works constantly change as they are repositioned and moved, reflecting the choreography of Indian dance. This assemblage is her response to the freestanding limestone stacks formed by the continuous erosion of the coast near Victoria in Australia. It was acquired by the Centre of Ceramic Art in 2016 for York Art Gallery.”
Dr Helen WalshCurator of Ceramics, Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA), York Art Gallery
The ‘Twelve Apostles’ formed a major part of Loretta’s solo exhibition, ‘Clay Journeys’.
This body of work was inspired by the giant sea stacks seen along the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Initially conceived as abstract pieces, they ultimately morphed into the title of the group with each figure unique in colour, texture and presentation.
In this live video, the celebrated writer and poet Rommi Smith imagines these forms as the living culmination of the creative process over twelve days. Her poem set to original music, signposts this journey with several apposite references to previous series: ‘shimmer; fruit & bloom; pewter & pearl; doubt & certainty’. The accompanying diverse images illustrate the breadth and complexity of Loretta’s body of work over many years.
The climax of the video is the seeming evolution – from clay to life itself,
enabled by the female creator and manifested in these twelve striking forms.
The ‘Twelve Apostles’ are on display at the Centre of Ceramic Art, York Art Gallery.
