Back to the Drawing Board Exhibition
The ‘Back to the Drawing Board’ exhibition will take place from 9th November 2016 – 26th January 2017, in the Chancellor’s Building, Keele University. The exhibition celebrates the long and remarkable creative lives of Pat Albeck and Peter Rice. Pat Albeck is one of the leading designers in modern Britain, having worked in the textile, pottery and paper industries and for John Lewis and the National Trust. Peter Rice was one of the pre-eminent stage and costume designers in modern British opera and theatre.
The exhibition will journey from the 1950s to the present day, through designs and memorabilia made uniquely available by the family, ranging from tea towels and exclusive dresses to iconic stage designs and costumes.
The exhibition will explore a fascinating family dynamic, for Pat and Peter are the parents of Matthew Rice, husband and business partner of Emma Bridgewater. Matthew is a gifted writer, designer and artist with a passion for architectural history; Emma Bridgewater is famously leading a ceramics revival in Stoke-on-Trent.
Professor David Amigoni, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Keele University comments:
"The Back to the Drawing Board exhibition and event series is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the lives and works of an exceptionally talented group of people. It ties into many of the University’s research themes, and provides a unique insight into the creative lives of Pat, Peter, Matthew and Emma."
Keele University’s research into many themes surrounding these events helps develop understanding of the inter-generational links and creative bonds between pieces, the cultural heritage of the local area, community engagement and creativity in later life.
Peter Rice’s iconic mural art, ‘A Bright Past for Stoke-on-Trent’ (2013) will be at the centre of the events; inspiring work to engage the community in thinking about the bright future for the city, a timely piece given Stoke-on-Trent’s City of Culture bid.
Professor Fiona Cownie, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience at Keele University comments:
"It's a great privilege for us to be hosting this event at Keele. Pat Albeck and Peter Rice have had exceptionally productive careers, and this exhibition provides a unique glimpse into the creative lives of these two extraordinary designers. The exhibition will be open to members of the public for 8 weeks, and I would encourage our students, staff and the wider community to come along and take a look, and explore themes of creativity and design."
The exhibition is open to the public and is free to attend, from 10am-5pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturdays.