Set the task of completing three vessel/forms utilising slab building techniques. I initiated this with some sketches but didn’t find these particularly useful on this occasion so turned to sketching directly with clay.
This was my exploration for form one: a slab constructed cylinder. I opted to work with two half cylindered that are different but connected. I visually connected them through the use of a relatively wet slabs offering a fluidity to the clay and using the same objects to create the textures. This half is informed by the previous clay sketches and employs a selection of smaller cylinders to create one larger one.
With the other half I wanted something simpler to contrast the previous piece. The texture employed gives a figurative appearance, several people commented that it looked like a face or an owl. This also employed the clay in a relativly wet state, again offerin a fluidity to the build.
Some supporting initial research: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/kimstuttard/slab-pot-initial-research/ . Much of this was to get me thinking about the box construction.
Returned to drawing/design process before constructing the angular form and lidded box. I find it useful to got between making and drawing and have each process inform the other.
In preparation for construction I produced a selection of textured slabs. I opted to work with these as it would negate being able to correct/smooth edges after construction, which is typically how I approach a build. Hence give myself a bit of a challenge. The textures were produced with an array of items from scraps of cardboard to old Indian printing blocks.
Lidded Box. Simple, small, functioning.
Angled Form (which also became a lidded box).
Results of glazing (technical information in glaze test blog posts). I wanted to glaze all these pieces both to resolve them and it gave me an opportunity to explore some of the glazes available at university. As this work is very textural I selected glazes on the premise they would respond well to this. The boxes are obviously the least sucessful, with the thickness of the glaze giving a very clumsy edge around the lid.
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