A UK comedian is having his ceramic art put on show in a commercial gallery for the first time… in Jersey.
Johnny Vegas is known across the British Isles for his broad Lancashire accent, acerbic comedic rants and surreal sense of humour, but is perhaps less well known for spinning a potter’s wheel.
Mr Vegas – a frequent guest on panel shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown – said he could not wait to visit the Island to see the show.
Speaking as the exhibition at Private and Public’s Phillips Street gallery opened yesterday, Mr Vegas said: ‘I’m thrilled. It’s the first time I’ve exhibited, so it’s a huge deal for me. For me, it’s almost like doing open spots and stand-up was back in the day. I’m deeply nervous but Jersey is an auspicious place to show your work – we’re not doing it by halves.’
Mr Vegas gained a BA in Art and Ceramics from Middlesex University but was put off taking his passion further, although he did use a potter’s wheel in some of his early stand-up routines.
However, he showed he had lost none of his creative skill when he famously made a tea pot in one minute on the BBC’s television programme the Great Pottery Throw Down, for which he was a judge.
Mr Vegas said: ‘I’ve never been to Jersey. I was due to bring my mum out a number of years back but I had a job at the time – that’s dictated so much of my life – and I never got to do it. I wish I’d seen it with my mum, but I’ve heard so much about it.
‘This week it was a question of whether we could squeeze it in. I don’t want to do that; I want to go and enjoy it. I don’t want to jump on a flight, have six hours and jump on a flight back. I’ve done that when I used to tour – I’ve been everywhere and I’ve seen nothing. It was hotel, gig, back to the hotel and into the van the next morning, or on a train. But I want to enjoy this because it’s a big’un. My first ever exhibition – I really want to be able to enjoy it.’
During lockdown he returned to what he described as ‘the lifeline’ provided by creativity.
‘My life is a visual diary and it’s mad that I’ve not been making [art] for so long. I’m cross at myself for getting embittered all those years ago and stepping away from it. There’s a lot of wasted time to make up for but maybe I needed it to build up this body of ideas. Sometimes things happen for a reason, but I’m ready for it,’ he said.
The exhibition ‘Interconnectedness’ – which he shares with distinguished ceramicist Emma Rodgers, Nicholas Romeril and Lionel Smit runs at Private and Public until 18 August.
Mr Vegas had hoped to get to the show’s opening night but is now planning a visit to the Island next month.
The exhibition is open weekdays from midday to 6pm and on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm.
