Along with a tree, the pot is an essential part of a bonsai, both functionally and aesthetically. The appropriate choice of pot can be very useful in promoting certain features of a tree, and in suggesting the environment and story behind that bonsai. 

Eddie's magnificent and suggestive bonsai ceramics are tactile and highly emotive, offering the bonsai artist a fresh, alternative approach to pot selection for exhibition quality trees. 

'Discovered' by our mutual friend, the much loved Andrew Pearson, of Stone Monkey Ceramics, at a prestigious ceramics exhibition, Eddie was persuaded to create a series of pots for use with bonsai, which until then he had only done for his own trees.
A project is also currently underway with Peter Warren, who is creating 2 bonsai through a collaboration of Eddie's work and 2 of his own trees.

I believe that the 'crossing over' of this celebreated artist from Studio pottery to bonsai ceramics will be beneficial to the ongoing evolution of European bonsai and its ceramics, which will also introduce the world of bonsai to the far greater audience of studio pottery enthusiasts around the world. 

 
- Read more about Eddie Curtis and his works in his EBPC Potter Profile here!  

- And don't miss the exclusive batch of bonsai pots by this famous artist in the EBPC Online-Store here.  
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                                            .... In-Store 1st August (Friday) at 18.00 GMT!

​Thank you for supporting the EBPC and our cherished bonsai potters and furniture makers of Europe.

BonsaiExpoUK has long been the EBPC's favourite UK show of the year!

Although not in any way 'elitist', this special exhibition has always striven towards helping everyone to consider, appreciate and improve, both the quality of their bonsai but also of the quality of displays in the U.K. The organisers are to be commended for their consciensious hard work, and efforts. Even outside of the event, having gone to the lengths of organising 'display' workshops and talks by professionals in preparation for this exhibition. 

The intricacies of bonsai display are fascinating, and executed with consideration and thought, can result in our trees being showing at their very best - highlighting the trees most favourable characteristics, and reinforcing the trees 'story' through the accompanying elements within the composition.

Having started as an evolution from a long running club level show (Heathrow Bonsai Show), in recent years BonsaiExpoUK has continued to rise in popularity, in the quality of trees and displays, and in the incredible atmosphere at this buzzing event. 

Last year, the entire display was dedicated to the pots of the great potter and painter: Itou Gekkou of Seto.

For me - the chance to display these great pieces and discuss the details of his pots and compositions with friends and enthusiasts is priceless. ​​

This year, the pot display will introduce & celebrate the works of some of the most successful and collectable of Japanese bonsai potters.

​I won't say too much before the exhibition, but there will be a blog article after the event.

​The EBPC will also be trading, and have some fantastic new pots from some of your favourite European artists - kept back especially for this event!

I am very excited to show off the great new pots we will have available - and to chat trees and pots with friends and customers (some are both!). 

If you can make it to Crawley on the 13th of April 2025, this is certainly an event not to be missed! 
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Thanks, and see you there,
Alex

​A dedicated family man, Andrew was a loving husband and father, and a loyal and caring friend to many, including myself. He will be sorely missed by many. Our thoughts go out to his wife Marie and family. 

Andrew's work is therefore usually recognisable at a glance, as is often the case for the very best artists. ​

​Instrumental in the formation of the EBPC in 2017, Andrew was not only a big inspiration, but was also very supportive from the very inception. Many exquisite Stone Monkey Ceramics pots, with EBPC stamps, are now in the hands of enthusiasts worldwide, for which we are very grateful to him. Representing Andrew and his world-class bonsai ceramics has been an honour and a pleasure. 
​

​In 2015, with the encouragement of Peter Warren and Akiyama San, Andrew was invited to take part in the 10th Annual Shohachi contest at the Gafu Ten in Kyoto, Japan.

​An incredible honour, especially as non-Japanese were not previously eligable to participated. ​

Not only was Andrew the first non-Japanese artist invited to participate in this world leading contest, but he went on to take gold in the unglazed category! His attention to detail was outstanding, in both the razor sharp lines and relief carvings.

​In so doing, Andrew helped strengthen the bond with Japanese bonsai, and also open the gates for other leading artists across the world to be able enter this prestigious event.

In 2015 Andrew also decided with friends and fellow well-known potters Tom Benda and Thor Holvila, to meet on a yearly basis at a new location, and produce unique artisanal pieces created as a fusion of three very different styles. The Triskele group was born. 

​Andrew was also a big fan of studio ceramics, and I was always absorbed when I got the chance to see his collection. ​Especially fascinating to him were the Mashiko style works resulting from the collaboration between Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada in the 1920's, and the great artists this movement has produced since. 

In a professional capacity, Andrew spent 7 years as a paramedic before joining Transport for London in 1998, to which he dedicated the next 26 years. After just 3 years he had become a fire compliance specialist, at which he excelled. A decade later, in 2011, Andrew progressed to Fire Engineer, which he continued to thrive at until his untimely passing.
At the end of January 2025, Andrew was due to retire from his work at the London Underground, to concentrate on his ceramics full time. 

Andrew was very well known in the global bonsai community. He was a multi-award winning artist, and was the feature of a multitude of articles in various magazine and book publications. 

Many bonsai potters, including some of Europe & America's most celebrated, have benefited from the help and words of advice of this great artist. Andrew liked to share his knowledge to the benefit of other artists and to improve bonsai ceramics in general. 

Andrew's legacy will live on, in those touched by his generous nature, in his thousands of exquisite creations, and through his impact on European and global bonsai ceramics.

​

​A memorial will be held for Andrew on Saturday 4th January, 2025 – 1pm start.
​
     The Community Centre -  Tn126eb
     Maidstone Road, Paddock Wood, Kent.
     
◦            We will be there until 7pm, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish
◦            We have booked the whole centre where is plenty of parking and everyone is welcome.
◦            no dress code, just wear your favourite outfit.
◦          If you'd like to make a gift we're setting up a Justgiving page for donations to The Ambulance Staff Charity.
◦            It's an easy walk from Paddock Wood Train Station.
◦            Please let me know if you intend to come for catering purposes and any dietary requirements.
◦            Also, please let me know if you would like to say something.
◦            Please use this email:                 [email protected]
*Also use this email for any messages, memories and photographs of Andy you wish to share.

Goodbye my dear friend. Rest in peace. 

This bustling event is different from your average show, as it hosts displays from 40 UK bonsai clubs!! .. and with 30 traders, it is a great place to find trees, pots, and all your bonsai necessities!

​Come over early & don't miss out on the fantastic range of pots & furniture from your favourite European artists. There will be some excellent Japanese pots available and a few treats from my own private collection.

I very much look forward to seeing you all on Sunday!! Be sure to come over and say hi! ... Better still, bring me over a coffee and you can have 10% off your purchase!
​
Thank you for supporting great European bonsai pottery!

FOR MORE INFO - https://heathrowbonsai.weebly.com/   

Sunday 13th October 2024.    10.00 till 16.00.
Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Road, Bracknell. RG12 9SE

#Europeanbonsaipottercollective #bonsaiexhibition #heathrowbonsai #ukbonsaiassociation #JapaneseBonsaiPots #bonsai #ebpc