Expressions in Blue was an extraordinary exhibition where visitors were dwarfed by a forest of monumental porcelain sculptures by renowned ceramicist Felicity Aylieff, shown in the light-filled gallery at The Weston and outdoors. 

Thrown by hand, the monumental sculptures stood up to five meters high and featured the classic blue and white we associate with Chinese porcelain. The artist gives this a contemporary reinterpretation by using expressive, abstract brushstrokes.

Entry to The Weston Gallery is free. To discover new exhibitions in the Chapel, Visitor Centre and new sculptures outdoors, purchase a YSP General Admission Ticket. Parking is free and kids go free.

Over the past two decades Aylieff has worked in China, collaborating with expert craftspeople in Jingdezhen, a city known for its high-quality porcelain production for centuries. The close working relationships she has developed there have enabled her to push the limits of her work in this challenging material, significantly increasing its scale.

Shown alongside the porcelain forms, photographs revealed the remarkable process of making and its sheer physicality.

Also on display were a selection from Aylieff’s expansive range of mark-making tools, including giant horsehair brushes used to whip around the vessels and create energetic flicks and splashes.

The exhibition was first shown at The Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Expressions in Blue has been made possible through support and collaboration with Adrian Sassoon, London, who represent the artist internationally.

Exhibition Accessibility

The exhibition is located at The Weston, which has it's own dedicated car park, with disabled parking spaces available. It is an approximately 20-minute walk from the main Visitor Centre through the country park, down a steep sloping hill. Off-road mobility scooters are available to hire from YSP Centre free of charge.

There is flat access to The Weston, via a metal walkway at the front entrance when entering from the car park, or via gravelled pathway at the rear of the building when approaching from the Country Park. The restaurant, shop and gallery space have flat access throughout.

There is bench seating available inside the gallery space, as well as in the restaurant. There are all gender toilet facilities at The Weston, including a dedicated disabled cubicle with grab bars and additional access space. For detailed information on accessibility at The Weston, please see our accessibility guide.

Two works are located outdoors, at the rear of the building on a gravelled surface. These works can also be viewed from inside the gallery via large windows.

Accessibility Resources

The following resources are available for this exhibition. If you would like to make use of any of them, just ask a member of YSP staff.

• Large Print interpretation
• Braille interpretation
• Audio version of the exhibition interpretation

Handling Materials

The artwork in this exhibition is too delicate to touch, so handling materials are available for visitors to feel and hold instead.

For more detailed access information about the exhibition and galleries, download our Felicity Aylieff Exhibition Accessibility Guide.