February 2021

The month started with more focus. The residency has a number of very specific areas of interest & exploration that drove proposals. One major focus from the beginning was the opportunity to work with, adapt, replicate & re-invent some aspects of dust pressing (& related process). The aim was to experiment with old & new techniques & technologies with a view to creating new effects & ‘products’ that explore, build on & blur traditional methods & perhaps push some boundaries. The last four weeks have been focussed on playing with a variety of relief moulding & ‘engraving’ techniques & materials. Activities have focussed on tiles at different stages of production (dust/greenware, bisque & glazed). These are all still early trials & some processes have worked better than others inevitably. Some have essentially ‘gone to plan’ in relation to original ideas & ambitions; however, there have also been some (pleasant) surprises & unforeseen results that offer possibilities. Lots more work to be done but some methods are already pretty much ‘fine tuned’ & ready for deployment for bespoke & short run productions. All really exciting & poised for further exploration & future opportunities.