Written in Clay: John David Lawrence on Collecting
- Andy McIlvain
- 8 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Video from Vancouver Art Gallery
Written in Clay: John David Lawrence on Collecting
“Written in Clay: From the John David Lawrence Collection” traces the rich history of ceramics in British Columbia—through the eyes of one passionate collector.
John David Lawrence has spent the last four decades weaving himself into the cultural fabric of Vancouver. His collection is a living archive of artistic friendships, shared histories and local legacies.
A lifelong collector, Lawrence began acquiring the work of local artists to better understand his adopted home. By the late 1990s, he became interested in the history of ceramics production in the region. He has since cultivated what is now the largest private collection of British Columbia ceramics ever assembled. But for Lawrence, collecting is not about amassing objects—it is about honouring relationships. Every work in his collection is tied to a personal encounter, a friendship or a moment of discovery.
In this video, Lawrence reflects on his philosophy of collecting and the stories behind the clay.
"Written in Clay: From the John David Lawrence Collection" is organized by the Vancouver Art Gallery and curated by Diana Freundl, Senior Curator, Michael J. Prokopow, Independent Curator, and Stephanie Rebick, Director of Publishing & Content Strategy, with Andrea Valentine-Lewis, Curatorial Assistant. Find out more at https://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/exhib....
Generously supported by:
The Jane Irwin and Ross Hill Contemporary Arts Fund." from the video introduction
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