Poetry in Motion - Cast Glass and Porcelain

Final Degree Show

This current sculptural work in porcelain and cast glass aims to express my intense joy experienced when dancing.  The intention is to embody the freedom of movement and abandonment felt on the dance floor, with grace and elegance, as well as the beauty of flow and motion found in nature.  This proved to be an enjoyable technical challenge.

Large Extrusions in Porcelain and Wax

Extrusions of varying sizes and spontaneity

Extrusions of Glass and Porcelain

Display at Exhibition

Display at New Designers Exhibition, London 2014

Rejuvenation, Inspired by Chinoiserie department at Plymouth City Museum. January 2014

"Rejuvenation

Broken vessel or human scar: a beautiful new beginning.

Whilst researching Chinoiserie, the artist was drawn to crudely repaired vessels from previous centuries.

The Japanese art of Kintsugi is skillful repair of broken vessels, including gold, resulting in a more beautiful, more valuable, renewed life for that vessel".

Vessels were slip cast from porcelain, then either: 

high bisque fired with silver wire added

high bisque fired with glass added

high fired with glaze and re-fired with platinum lustre.

Inspiration from broken, repaired vessels.

Preparation of forms and moulds in the plaster room

Raw clay vessels formed and damaged

Wire knitted to re-form torn neck of vessel

Final vessels displayed

Japanese Masterclass at Kigbeare Studios, July 2013. Masahiro Kumagae demonstrating slab building.

Preparing slabs

Folding edges

Marking

Curving the edges

Wedging

Preparing clay for dish

Marking the underside

Japanese paper to form shape of dish

Feet being turned

Placing clay over paper form

Ready to dry

Kigbeare Studios, Masahiro Kumagae Slab Building Demonstration, July 2013

Kigbeare Studions Masterclass, Peter Seabridge Throwing, July 2013

Demonstration from Peter Seabridge

Flowing finger marks

Bowl

Platter

Finger grooves

Preparing for feet

Finishing outer edge

Feet added

Voila!

Japanese Masterclass in Ceramics Decoration with Reiko Nagata at Kigbeare Studios, Devon. July 2013

Preparation of ingredients for decoration

Pestle and mortar used to grind finely

Calm and concentration essential

Inspirational

Beginner's straight lines

Japanese-style design?

Kigbeare Kiln

Kiln fodder

Preparation of Sushi

The Group of Participants

Tremough Gardens at Falmouth University, Cornwall

June 21, 2013

The installation prepared for Trelissick Gardens has now been installed at Falmouth University in the gardens of Tremough Campus.

This location has been chosen as it is raised up from the path, in a secluded spot, quite dark, so to my mind is the kind of place you may find spirits lurking!

Commission from the National Trust at Trelissick Gardens, Cornwall

Spirit of the Garden

9 May - 9 June 2013

Trelissick garden is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, a gently folding landscape containing oaks, beach, exotics and rare specimens, and leading down to the River Fal.  This assignment was to produce installations that were sympathetic to the surroundings and appropriate for National Trust visitors.

When researching the property, the list of dedicated gardeners reminded me of my own dedicated and gentle gardener Jack from years ago, who died of cancer.  My work is an hommage to gardeners, especially Jack.

Process

Old garden tools were chosen to become spirits of garden tools.  The tools had to be staked into the ground so had metal rods welded to them, before being covered in          hessian fabric dipped in Keramicast plaster.  

An old spade was covered in cling film to prevent the rust  from dis-colouring the plaster.

Wet hessian was cut to size over the spade after metal rods had been welded to it, to go into the ground.

The hessian was then dipped in plaster and was very heavy so needed two people to put in place.

Help from a first year student was much appreciated!

Extra layers of plaster were gradually added all over.

As the plaster is hardening drips form, which need to be removed.

Whilst wet the form was very heavy and difficult to balance at the right angle for the folds in material to fall at the required angle.

A lot of sanding was needed to re-find the folds in  the fabric.

The final piece awaiting installation.

The same treatment was given to a watering can

And also to a garden trowel.

This tool has been likened to the appearance of a coffin.

Final Installation

Artist Statement

 Spirit of the Garden

“The act of ‘gardening’, as well as the activities enjoyed in the garden, contributes to a sense of well-being.  Gardening is dependent not only on the input of the human being but also on the part played by nature.”

Cooper, David E. 2008.  A philosophy of Gardens.

In memory of my gentle, dedicated gardener, Jack.