DYCP: Making a Mark (Mar '21)

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! 

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DYCP: In the Groove (Feb '21)

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.

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DYCP: Tests & Experiments (Jan '21)

January 2021

There was a clear initial plan with key areas of focus but it was good to jump in & really get going during the first month! My ideas & approach was given further consideration during the first week & informed by useful conversations with Richard & Steve (The Firing Line). Several (busy) weeks of activity have resulted in quite a lot of tests; somewhat random, playful & a bit tangential in places! The last couple of weeks have involved collecting everything together & quietly reflecting in a little more depth on the variety of ideas & experiments. This will help to create a little more focus & structure for the next phase of work. The samples produced to date already form a really useful basis for residency explorations & the related activities have offered so many different learning opportunities along the way. The actions & tests represent a range of quite specific ideas & techniques including alternative ways to press, ‘engrave’ & decorate (greenware, bisque & glazed tiles/surfaces). My previous illustration & art work has often involved the use of hand & CNC cut shapes & stencils - especially décollage/collage works (street art & studio) - so I’m particularly interested in how this might connect with the ceramic work. This has been particularly exciting & has informed current experiments (to be shared in future posts).

This small selection represents colour & firing tests. DIY hand press, relief mould & inlaid (‘encaustic’) processes. It’s perhaps worth saying that the shapes, lines & patterns are deliberately basic & designed for simplicity &/or to (relatively quickly) test particular trials ie easy to cut, press or ‘engrave’. They are both fine & detailed enough but not too intricate or time consuming at this stage of development. This initial activity is also helping to inform the need to develop new techniques using different equipment & materials.

What an intense & fun first month! I have already gained so much from basic knowledge & initial experiences with clay/slip/glazes to first step kiln management. There are already some really interesting & potentially quite different approaches & techniques beginning to emerge.