A new exhibition in Newcastle looks at the bold intersection of ceramics and fine art.

Opening at the Hatton Gallery, ‘The Potter’s Canvas: Ceramics and Painting in the 20th Century’ explores how British studio potters transformed raw clay into vibrant, expressive canvases. By pairing over 70 ceramic works from the Shipley Art Gallery with paintings and prints from the Hatton, this exhibition highlights the dynamic dialogue between pottery and fine art. Visitors will discover how 20th-century makers moved beyond traditional decoration to convey big ideas and subvert expectations. Key highlights include works by pioneering artist Alison Britton (‘Vessel’, pictured), whose spontaneous, painterly approach to flat slabs of clay helped redefine modern ceramics in the 1970s. Displayed alongside masterworks by Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, James Tower, and painter Patrick Heron, the show reveals how everyday ceramic forms became dynamic sites for artistic experimentation.

The Potter’s Canvas: Ceramics and Painting in the 20th Century, 19 September-16 January, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle, northeastmuseums.org.uk/hatton