timeless classics re-imagined
Heritage Pottery represents pots and pottery in the more traditional sense, where objects are often made and engaged with for the love of the materials and processes like throwing; where there's an overiding urge to sit at the wheel and just make a pot, or explore an ancient glaze or shape. When I think about this sort of ware, the old vernacular pots of Korea, China, Sawankhalok, as well as old English Earthenware, spring to mind. I also took much early inspiration from the pots and making of William Marshall.
Sometimes pots and vessels are simply made to fulfil the need for eating, drinking, or wanting to live with something that is well-made and handmade - an object that directly connects you with another person. Heritage Pottery is a term that I've developed to help explain and explore this kind of pottery which is also known as Studio Pottery; perhaps the most common form of handmade pottery that people engage with but a term that is maybe too general and not specific enough for my needs.
Melting Snow Collection
My Melting Snow is an example of Heritage Pottery: on the one hand it is designed in that it is born from an engagement with ideas of snow; its softness, nature, and hues. On the other hand, it is a celebration of process and material, being made with a specially formulated clay of Devon Ball Clay and Fireclay which results in a plastic and expressive clay body.
The Melting Snow, for example, are thrown and turned on a kick-wheel - a process which slows throwing down and perhaps makes it a little more contemplative than the ubiquitous electric wheel. The decoration of the bowls is also instigated at the green and fired stage, be it the use of slip or specially collected river-sand to bring texture and individuality to each bowl. The final firing is also at a lower stoneware temperature, so that the bowls are vitrified but also a little 'softer' than higher-fired ware. In my mind, it is often this commitment to processes that exemplifies 'heritage' pottery and ceramics.
