Raku firing: process and result

I’m sure that this is not necessarily how everyone thinks when they come across a piece of artwork or a new craft but for me the story of the process is as important as the finished product. It’s the backstory, the how, what, why, when and where that absorbs me and this in turn adds to my feelings towards the work.

So here are some more photos of this afternoons raku firing in the courtyard and the finished work…

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And today has been about more than the courtyard activities – Erika brought in her new artwork. Each drawing has a story and we had a long discussion of the South American magical realism tradition, of the role of personal experience in art, of storytelling in 2D art.

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Raku firing photos

here’s some photos of the kiln setting up and the work before it goes in. Apparently the kiln reaches 1000* Centigrade and at some point the work will be removed (whilst at this temperature!) and plunged into the silver dustbin which holds sawdust. I will ask Jim or Philippa to write a more accurate piece about the process later today.

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If you’re in Glossop and would like to watch  – you’re very welcome to pop and view from our window.

Raku firing in the courtyard

Today an extraordinary event is taking place in our courtyard – Jim & Philippa have set up a raku kiln and our firing their work – will keep you posted through the day…

Adele Kime jewellery coming into the gallery shop

We’re very excited about this. Adel Kime, member of Peak District Artisans and High Peak Artists is bringing work for the gallery shop on Friday and Adele will be runnning two workshops at the Studios in the New Year. All the details will be posted at a more reasonable hour but if you want to check out Adele’s work here’s her website

A special invite & two new ceramicists

Readers of our blog are invited to our vernissage for a preview of the work on display over the Glossop Christmas Art Trail weekend. As well as work from our established artists and our graduate award winner Dominika Laszkowska we have work from ceramiscists Jill Shaddock and Marie Canning.

Pendant from Marie Canning

Since graduating from Manchester School of Art with a First Class Honours Degree in Three Dimensional Design, Marie has now set up a studio in Liverpool.

Previously having worked in healthcare, Marie is inspired by the way we strive to take responsibility for our health. Fascinated by the Victorian era and their advances in medicine, Marie’s current body of work is inspired by the use of herbal medicine in the Victorian apothecaries and the decorative ceramic vessels which carried them.

Torn between the functional and non-functional, Marie has created both wearable jewellery and non-functional decorative pieces. She primarily works with ceramics, in particular porcelain and uses the traditional process of throwing in a unique way to produce her miniature vessels.

Marie’s work is priced from around £30.

Jill Shaddock is another favourite of ours and a fellow Craft Council Hothouse 2013 selectee with Catherine Carr.

Jill describes her work…

My practice focuses on the exploration of materials and process. My current work looks at celebrating and enhancing the process of slipcasting and exploring how a user relates to a product by creating a narrative. 

By manipulating the normal methods of slipcasting, using a layering technique, I create unique objects that elevate a process normally associated with mass production. My methods of using body stains and firing the ceramic to a high temperature, means the vessels I create are both aesthetical but also functional.

Sushi set by Jill Shaddock

Finally, those details for the Vernissage… 6pm – 8pm on Friday 23rd November

ps – we’ve updated the Xmas Art Trail page

Glossop Christmas Art Trail

We are taking part in the Glossop Christmas Art Trail again this year; a great opportunity to shop for unique art and craft gifts from local artists and makers. Over 20 artists and makers are taking part this year acoss six venues.

You will find ceramics, fine art, stained glass, jewellery, art prints and much more. Over the next two weeks we will be profiling the artists taking part; both here and on the Art Trail page.

 

This week at The Studios…

A really busy week behind us and another coming up! We had a delivery of some amazing yarn on Wednesday – it’s SMC Super Big; a 300g ball of acrylic that knits up on 20mm needles to make a great scarf. The pattern is on the ball band, tension is not an issue and if the patterns not for you then it will look great in a straightforward garter stitch. We’ve got eight colours and it’s just £7.50 a ball.

This week saw the combined efforts of Flip, Ella and Cathy design a wonderful postcard for the Glossop Christmas Art Trail. No previews I’m afraid but we should have it printed for next weekend and out on the streets!

We have some really special artists lined up for the Art Trail. There are our inhouse artists Catherine Carr, Sue Ashton, Dominika Laszowska, Philippa Maye, Hannah Dodd, Ella Jensen and Erika Robertson. And then we have ordered in some great ceramics from Jill Shaddock and Marie Canning – we’ll tell you a bit more about them over the coming weeks but here’s a preview of their work if they’re new to you.

A beautiful pendant and ceramic holder by Marie Canning.

Slipcast ceramic pots by Jill Shaddock.

Sushi set by Jill Shaddock

As last year we are promoting affordable art by independant artists and makers, many of whom are based locally. Across Glossop 21 artists & makers are taking part in the Arts Trail and we have dedicated a page on this blog to the Arts Trail and will update this over the next week or so with everyones details.