Tag Archive for artist

The Cracks Have Appeared…

It’s been a few weeks since I was last at the Brickworks. On my last visit, I left the largest completed vessel unwrapped to allow the bricks to dry and shrink.
Quite a dramatic effect I think you’ll agree?
I love the tones and colour displayed by the uneven drying – the darker bricks at the bottom are still quite damp whilst the ‘white’ ones at the top are nearly dry enough for firing.

Work Experience Student

Introducing Sally, who has joined us this week on a work experience placement. Sally is a second year Ceramics student from Cardiff School of Art and Design. We are really grateful for the extra pair of hands, especially a degree student with knowledge and understanding of materials and process.

Sally’s been working with me at Coleford Brick and Tile Company, in the Forest of Dene, helping with the work for my show at the Bilston Museum and Art Gallery.

Photo Session

Tuesday was a busy day here at the Pottery. Gemma and myself were joined once again by Chris Smart – photographer extraordinaire, Natalie – exhibitions officer from Bilston Museum and Art Gallery, and Sally – work experience student from Cardiff School of Art and Design.

The day was spent photographing my work for the exhibition in July. There was a lot of ‘moving’ furniture and pottery around the studio as Chris experimented with backgrounds, light and composition. As per usual the results were fantastic. The images will be used for publicity purposes prior to the show and for large prints to be hung on the walls to compliment the pots.

Kiln Catastrophe

For some years now, the nature of my practice has been interpersonal – I’ve worked with participants of all ages and abilities, making things out of clay destined to be recycled rather than being fired.
I was starkly and cruelly reminded this week of the potential for disaster when committing work to the kiln.
I lifted the kiln lid to find all of the pieces…in pieces or severely cracked beyond repair – 2-3 days of work ruined in one foul swoop.
You would think that twenty years plus of experience would render the firing of work a mundane and risk free activity…It’s anything but. There are so many variables to the process of firing; temperature, rate of temperature climb, size of the work, position in the kiln…I could go on.
Just one small change – in this case the shape of the thrown form, and you can pretty much throw everything you know out of the window!
Although I’ve been working with brick clay for the past three years, I’m still learning how it works…but when you have a deadline looming, the need to get it right is intensified.
I had forgotten what a frustrating and destructive process transforming clay into ceramic could be. Those pieces that survive the rigours of the kiln are special and should not in any way be taken for granted – lots of ‘metaphor for life’ potential me thinks!

Coleford Brick and Tile Company

I spent the majority of last week working at the Coleford Brick and Tile Company in the Forest of Dean.
The directors have been very generous, (once again) in allowing me to work on the factory floor and ‘play’ with their wonderful materials and products.
I’m making some large vessels – some one metre in diameter, out of carved ‘green’ bricks. The process involves piling the bricks into a rough shape before carving the surfaces to achieve a smooth effect. Once it’s all dried, it will be disassembled, carefully labelled and then fired in the giant gas kilns at the works.
The piece will then be re-assembled in time for my exhibition in July at Bilston. For other blog entries relating to this project please take a look at: Coleford Residency 5 and 6, Brick Factory Visit 3, Coleford Residency, Bilston Show a Go-Go!,
Jon
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