Christine Burgess

I am a BA Fine Art mature student who completed a Certificate of Education course in 1970-73,  when Bishop Otter was a Teacher's Training College. A lasting impression of those years was the large collection of art works which were displayed throughout the College premises. It was accessible and influenced my appreciation of post-war Art. 

The Principal Miss Betty Murray and Head of Art, Sheila McCririck purchased art using a fund of about £400 each year, established by the College which gave an annual 10/- per student. 

In 2018, the purpose-built Otter Gallery was closed after much protest and a significant part of the now valuable collection put into secure storage.

The Bishop Otter Collection, amassed within the last 60 years, is a major art resource within the City and I am very sad that much is not available to today's University of Chichester Students

My display uses the old tradition of Political Pottery, to highlight causes, from the Jacobite Rebellion to Grayson Perry's environmental concerns of today.

I have made earthenware pottery, on which I have sketched some of the artworks of the Bishop Otter Collection, glazed and fired and smashed the pottery to symbolise its broken fate.