Dig.ni.fy Summer 2023 | Page 34

One suddenly understands the exquisite but ephemeral beauty of small things and the heft and expanse of Nature at large. Such works stand in direct contrast to Malone’s more abstract pieces, but the lessons learned are the same.

Private Sales

Malone’s work is primarily created for private sale, with such sales being managed by her art dealer of nearly 30 years, Adrian Sassoon, whose gallery – located in London – is focused on innovative, decorative works of art.

Sassoon is an authority on Sèvres and Vincennes porcelain, who has across time pushed for recognition and respect of contemporary artists. Kate readily admits it was Sassoon who really caused her art to be recognized by a larger audience, as he worked endlessly to place her ceramics alongside those of the old masters. Sassoon and Malone continue to present her work in such venues. Annually, Sassoon exhibits her work of art at Treasure House in London and TEFAF in Maastricht and New York.

In all, it has been quite a journey. As a student right out of art school, Malone went around to the galleries in hope one would take her on. Galleries were unwilling to show her work, believing that a focus on utility – as Kate’s pottery did – went against market trends that embraced the formalism of people like Edmund de Waal. Left without representation, Malone decided to hold her own show. Putting postcards in all the letter boxes around town,

Kate soon had an audience – and more importantly buyers.

Art shows and private homes are not the only place to view Kate’s work. Museums, galleries, and other sites hold pieces of Malone’s work. Some specific locations where a person can

view Kate’s work are identified in the slideshow..

The MBE

Malone was awarded an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) – the third highest ranking Order of the British – in 2019 for outstanding service to the ceramic field. This recognized what Kate claims is her major interest – producing large scale public works. But more than that, Malone claims, the award

consolidated my role in my ceramic community. It has strengthened my resolve to play my part and give back. I was lucky to have had an extraordinary education back in the day and it is my sign of appreciation to my field to serve within it. It’s a pretty medal and my dad loved it at the palace. We all did.

Malone admitted to always being attracted to and wanting to produce large works. And many of her private pieces are quite large, as evident in the slide show. But public works differ in both

their scale and intent.

What distinguishes Malone’s public projects aside from their size is both her intention and focus. Kate intends, as we said earlier, to engage the community in her public art. When she submits a project proposal, Malone always

emphasizes that it will involve the community.

This is not intended to be, will not be, an

The MBE consolidated my role in my ceramic community. It has strengthened my resolve to play my part and give back. It’s a pretty medal and my dad loved it at the palace. We all did.

34