March 2021

A busy month of systematic trials; making marks, shapes & patterns. The focus remains on creative ways to explore & adapt traditional production techniques. The main aim during March has been to refine & ‘perfect’ specific methods in relation to ‘relief moulding’ & ‘engraving’ processes (greenware, bisque & glazed tiles/ceramic). Tests continued using both newly produced base products as well as experiments with standard stock & even vintage tiles (wall & floor). The ability to produce controlled or more spontaneous marks, lines & shapes either in or on a given surface offers an array of different possibilities especially when combined with the potential myriad of glaze techniques (monochrome, colours & inlays, etc) offers almost endless possibilities. Although quite a lot of limited initial tests have taken place; glaze & glazing techniques will now also become a key focus during April & going forward. This will require next step learning & hands on experience with the kiln & development of my (currently) somewhat basic knowledge of glazes & firing.

Interim review: This 6 month R&D residency has reached its half-way point; how time flies…

I am really pleased with the range & extent of work undertaken. It has been a pretty intense & highly productive 3 months. The learning & knowledge gained has already been invaluable & very exciting. The progress made to date certainly exceeds the original plan. Some of the techniques developed (& related specialist equipment pulled together & adapted) already offer some genuinely innovative & potential ‘step change’ opportunities going forward. Interestingly, it does feel like some sort of a natural ‘halfway point’. After initially jumping in at the deep end as it were & somewhat thrashing about (in a good but slightly random way); this first phase has logically gravitated towards working with the tile form itself especially the surface. My main focus has been to experiment with alternative & different ways to adapt or replicate/interpret some aspects of the dust press process. This is easier said than done especially without precision ‘dies’ or moulds. This is absolutely not about replacing the traditional process & the unique qualities of hand pressed tiles. However, this process can be quite complex, time consuming & costly. Specialist bespoke & ‘one off’ work is only really justified or viable for pretty high end projects with budgets to match. In turn, this somewhat limits experimentation, ‘play’ & creativity. The first 3 months have been all about experimentation, ‘play’ & creativity!