Beth Max |
Beth Max was born in Liverpool in 1953. Her art is characterised by the fact that she left college after only six months to travel. Since then she has been an influential figure in the synergy of contemporary form, and noted in the European arts community as ‘elusive, shadowy and resistant to the institutionalisation of creativity’ (Vanity Fair, 1978)
She lived briefly in Paris where she was deeply influenced by the 20th century modernism of Matisse, Braque and especially Picasso. Recognising her own lack of knowledge, training and experience, she travelled to Italy and over three years she made a detailed study of Renaissance art and left speaking fluent Italian.
It was during her time in Florence that she discovered ceramics as a means of expressing her passion for the humanism she had recognised in art as varied as the cave paintings of Lascoux to the sculptures of Michelangelo. A subsequent visit to Brazil catalysed her work, melding her experiences to produce ceramic work which has been categorised as sophisticated primitivism.
Beth Max produces stoneware vessels, working primarily with a coiling technique which results in forms which are uniquely human. Her large pieces relate to concepts about the garden in contemporary architecture and are highly sought after.
Her work is in private collections throughout the world.