CULTURE CLUB
Art & Soul Handmade British jewellery, ceramics and glassware, housed in an independent gallery in central Cambridge
Japanese dyeing method that’s known as ‘arashi shibori’. Jeremy recognises the desire for art to not only be beautiful, but also serve a practical function. “Primavera is a functional art gallery,” he says. “You can get a nice mug and it costs you £15. Still, £15 is a lot of money, but you have to remember someone made that by hand. Having things to show is nice, though I wouldn’t be here if not for those basics.” Mugs, cups, plates and other utilitarian items are primarily located in the gallery’s basement. The ground floor mainly houses smaller pieces – perfect for gifts – while the first floor contains larger works like chairs, clocks and the ‘animal room’. It takes advantage of every nook and cranny, curating the space to best represent each piece. RARE FIND Cambridge has no shortage of cultural experiences, with several art galleries on King’s Parade and Trinity Street alone. How does Primavera stand out from the crowd and encourage people inside? For starters, it features artwork not found anywhere else. Being handmade, each piece is inherently one of a kind. Thanks to the sheer size of its collection, art is practically flowing onto the street – in other words, there’s plenty to see, whether you’re buying or just browsing. More importantly, the gallery has supported local artistry for almost 80 years. Founded by Henry Rothschild towards the end of World War II, Primavera was meant to represent rebirth – and it continues to do so today. Art is more essential than ever, and this is embodied by the staff at Primavera, who work diligently seven days a week. It’s this commitment that Jeremy is looking for in his potential replacement. At age 70, he’s “looking ahead to secure the gallery’s continued presence on King’s Parade, and its role in supporting and showcasing artists into the future.” Email jeremyprimavera@aol.com to find out more, or visit the Primavera website at primaveragallery.co.uk
Primavera (translated from ‘springtime’ in Italian) is an art and jewellery gallery located in the very heart of Cambridge, opposite the entrance to King’s College. The historic space, once occupied by Charles Lamb and visited by James Joyce, holds an eclectic collection of artwork, some of which is centuries old. Managed by lifelong artist Jeremy Waller, Primavera features works of various prices and mediums, including jewellery, ceramics, glass, paintings, sculptures, furniture and textiles. The large majority is handmade in Britain, with more than 250 local artists, Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach among them (both of whom personally worked at the gallery), represented across three floors. ART FOR EVERYONE In an era plagued by the cost-of-living crisis, art may seem a frivolous expense, but Primavera’s goal is more creating interest in art than making a sale. “The purpose of Primavera isn’t to buy; it’s to tell a story,” says Jeremy, before pointing out a large bowl by Stephen Murfitt made via the Raku firing process. “That is just a piece of work – interesting in itself – but what’s more important is how he’s made it and who he is.” Primavera matches the cost of each piece to the artist’s asking price, but Jeremy is often tempted to go higher. “[The artist] is a person just like you; [they have] to eat,” he explains. It’s a delicate balance between acknowledging an item’s true value and encouraging a quick sale. Prices typically range from £20 to £5,000 (with artists receiving around 50% of the earnings), and Jeremy and his colleagues foster synergistic relationships with artists, displaying their work tastefully and supporting their self-promotion – the value of which is immeasurable. “It’s very personal,” Jeremy notes. Despite being pressed for physical space, he continues, “we’re approaching new artists all the time.” The gallery has just recently installed a collection of textiles by artist Rhyannan Hall, who uses a
10 SEPTEMBER 2023 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
Powered by FlippingBook