Back to Earth

I am happy with the new work.  It feels odd to say that.  I’m used to feeling full of doubt, but a year after some quite shocking physical pains led to a complete rethink of my making process I am excited by what is emerging.  And emerging is the right word.  

The first two pieces of the new work to emerge from the kiln

Rather than coiling and building a piece and then scraping and refining its surface as it dries, I am now stretching a ball or cylinder of wet clay from the inside; expanding it into shape and leaving its outer surface to tell the story of its metamorphosis from ball of clay to vessel.  Sometimes it is wrapped in leaves as it grows which help support the clay and leave fossil-like imprints on the surface.  Sometimes the surface expands in an unconstrained way creating a fissured, almost volcanic, surface. 

From cylinder to vessel

Then after a first firing I coat the surface with oxides and gently rub back through the oxide layer to reveal the texture beneath, like an archeologist uncovering ancient remains.  So the sense I have is of the pieces emerging from the clay and me being able to watch and be part of that process. I think that’s what makes it possible to see the work with appreciative rather than self-critical eyes, and to admit that I like it!

Oxide rubbed back ready for second firing

The clay is iron-rich English terra cotta which is not only a delight to work with, but also fires at lower temperatures which minimises its environmental impact, and links back to the clays of the earliest pots ever made.  I use a renewable electricity-powered kiln.. so the work is effectively fired by sun and wind.  And the oxides are base metals – largely copper – so the work is as earthy and Earth-friendly as possible.

I will be selling out of the studio and at local markets as well as via the online gallery.  Do get in touch if you are interested to know more or to buy.  You can sign up to very occasional emails if you’d like to have advanced notice of sale dates.

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