Ceramics Project- 'Inside-out'

 This was my first project at College and it was a huge step up for me from GCSE art. It was my first taste of what it takes to be a true artist. I had to make independent decisions and learn new techniques that I have never encountered before. This was my first time working with clay and working in ceramics so everything was new to me. I learnt the art of coiling; a way of creating a pot using strips of clay rather than using a potter's wheel. I also learnt about firing techniques and new methods of glazing and ornamentation used of ceramic pieces. These methods were Saga firing, Raku firing, glazing; the list is endless.

Test Piece- Iron oxide glaze upon coiled, biscuit-fired clay.

 During my project I started to discover what I wanted my final piece to look like. A lot of ceramics I have seen were very refined and 'polished'. But I preferred the rough, raw and unrefined pieces of some artists. So I created test pieces without the help of a kidney to smooth the surface. On the outcome of my work took the look of being rough and worn, which I found really interesting.

My project was shaped around the forms of Fennel and hearts. They both resembled the same thing to me; chambers, layers and excursions of tube-like shapes. This was interesting to me as hearts and Fennel are natural, yet they present signs of something that is unnatural and almost extraterrestrial.

My final piece took on the shape of two forms, the fit into each other; presenting the look of a layered outcome. The best thing about my final piece is that I did not use any conventional glazes or slips. I used boot polish. Ox Blood boot polish picked out all of the crevasses of the main body of the outcome which proved effective. I also used grate polish for the 'sister' pot that proved effective.

Final outcome

I received a Merit grade for this first project and I was pleased with the result and grade. I learnt a lot of things from the project and I knew what i can improve on for the next project.

Close-up of Sketchbook