Touch the Art at Aberdeen's New Ceramics Display
A joyful, hands-on celebration of studio pottery has opened at Aberdeen Art Gallery
Most exhibitions have a look-but-don’t-touch rule. Not this one. All Fired Up, the new display at Aberdeen Art Gallery, actively encourages you to pick things up. It features over 180 pieces from the late Sandy Dunbar’s collection of studio ceramics, and every one has been selected for how it feels in the hand, not just how it looks.
That personal approach runs through the entire collection. Sandy, a former lawyer turned arts council director and later Moray farmer, had a thing for pots. Not mass-produced ones, but individual and small-batch ceramics made by artists across the UK. His favourites weren’t just beautiful; they were what he called “pots that sing” – pieces that stirred something in him through texture, weight or shape.
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Made to be handled
What makes this display unusual is its openness. Instead of glass cabinets, most of the work sits out in the open, arranged as you might find it in a working studio. Some shelves are set low, allowing younger visitors to explore freely. Others hold rows of jugs, bowls and jars of all shapes, sizes and finishes, from rustic stoneware to delicate porcelain.
The pieces come from more than 80 potters, including Michael Cardew, Jane Hamlyn and Clive Bowen. A nearby reference area allows you to explore more about the materials and techniques behind the work, demonstrating the significant science that goes into a craft that can appear effortless.
A collector with curiosity
Sandy’s passion for pottery led him to form friendships with many of the makers. When his family gifted the collection to Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums, they did so with one condition: let people handle the work. That idea of accessibility has shaped the whole display.
Even with Sandy’s detailed records, not every pot was easy to identify. Curator Morna Annandale worked with former gallery manager Christine Rew to research their origins. They even turned to a Facebook group for studio pottery enthusiasts. Only six pieces remain unknown.
Personal stories in every pot
Sandy’s daughter, Rebecca Russell, said: “My father’s collection evokes stories of masters and apprentices, subtle pots and those that demand attention. Our father would be thrilled to see it displayed in such an accessible way.”
Whether you’re deeply into ceramics or just curious about what makes a pot sing, this display opens up a tactile, personal side of pottery that’s usually kept behind glass. You can find out more about the exhibition at the AAGM website.
