phd research
From late 2010 onwards, I've been based in Cornwall and undertaking PhD research in collaboration with University College Falmouth's Autonomatic Research Group and the Leach Pottery, St Ives. This involves undertaking practice-led explorations in digital technology and ceramic making under the title:
"Designing 21st Century Standard Ware: The Cultural Heritage of Bernard Leach and the Creative and Economic Benefits of Digital Technologies"
Current Outputs - Leach Beaker
This involved re-interrogating a previous making as research project of Dr Katie Bunnell. One aim of this research was to use it as a device to situate myself in a digital/ceramic making context in order to understand the technology better and how it can be applied to ceramic outcomes. The other aim was to identify and solve ceramic-related needs at the Leach Pottery.
The focus was to develop a ceramic beaker that could potentially be used by visitors to the museum when taking refreshments. The slip-cast beaker can be re-produced relatively quickly with less hand-skills than throwing requires - although there's still a need for working closely with the clay by hand. The process also utilises clay that's awaiting reclaim at the pottery.
I started working with some of Bernard Leach’s New Zealand sketches, in order to arrive at a decorative element, and used Adobe Illustrator, Rhino 3d, laser cutters, a 3 axis milling machine, plaster lathes, slip blunger and the Leach Pottery's soda kilns to achieve the finished work. Materials used included acrylic, silicon, milling board, plaster, and formulating a casting slip based on the Leach throwing body.
