Ceramics

Current work explores the historic technique of agateware which was prominent in the UK in 17th & 18th century industrial ceramics, notably Josiah Wedgewood. The term ‘Agateware’ refers to ceramic pieces made from coloured or mixed clays and mimics the multicoloured appearance of agate stone. I am drawn to this technique because of the unique combinations of colours and patterns which are created using the throwing process on the pottery wheel.

 This series of large lidded vessels are adorned with hand-modelled birds, predominantly British species including blackbirds, crows, sparrows and owls. This new work brings together my experiences of designing and producing industrial ceramics, with many years specialising in portraits and sculptures of endangered species for bronze casting.

I predominantly create the works using a porcelain type stoneware body, which I individually throw and turn, inside and out to accentuate the agate surfaces further. The birds that adorn the lidded vessels are hand modelled, hollowed out and attached. Some of the vessels are produced using a white stoneware body, black volcanic clay and oxides. Each piece is fired to Stoneware temperatures and typically glazed on the inside and polished on the outside.