Current Projects

My latest large-scale ceramic project, successes and failures...

My current project is well underway and taking quite a bit of time and energy. My concept began with the first image below: a small experiment with stitching together tiles stylised to look like fields. Having loved the prototype, I decided to take on board the advice of my classmates and make it bigger — a lot bigger. I didn't do very much planning, just dove headfirst into rolling out clay and cutting it however I saw fit. When I came back the next day with my tapestry needles I discovered that I hadn't stored my tiles properly and found them too dry to put holes through (not that I didn't try).

I then decided to rethink the whole project and come up with a decisive plan. On my prototype I struggled to put holes through my clay tapestry needles force clay out of the tile, leaving them warped and lumpy on the back. Realising I needed a hollow needle to avoid this, I found 3mm piercing needles online, ideal for this as they are hollow. I then pulled out a pen and paper and drew my 'map' of sorts. Cutting tiles haphazardly didn't go so well and resulted in hard-to-resolve irregular edges. As having sharp edges and clean lines that fit perfectly together is essential to the motivations behind this piece, a plan, I discovered, was necessary.

Punching hundreds of holes through 63 tiles, scoring the back and giving texture to the front was no mean feat, but as it stands I'm very happy with my progress. I washed the tiles' tops and sides in saturated chromium oxide to make it easier to achieve green later on when they're glazed, but for now I'm waiting for them to be bisque fired.

I haven't forgotten about my first failed attempt. Not wanting my irregular jigsaw to go to waste, I've experimented with using underglaze, oxide and coloured slip as a base for future glaze, and will experiment further with glaze combinations when it's all out of the kiln. I'm not sure as of yet if the failed attempt will make it to the exhibition, but the experimentation it allows me is worth the trouble.