The first term sets off with a series of workshops designed to acquaint you with several techniques of ceramic manipulation/creation.
There are also visual exploration classes, technical classes and lectures from visiting ceramists/artists.
My first rotation is throwing on the potter’s wheel; the expectation is to learn the fundamentals of throwing such as: the important basic of centring, opening, lifting, making into a desired shape and lid making/creating something with two pieces. The clay we are using is ash white clay and is quite plastic, in theory easier for beginners to work with. Ash white clay is a mix of 3 parts Ball clay to 1 part China clay. I find throwing a bit of a challenge I have periods of great success and times when I seem to lose my throwing mojo completely. The frustration of throwing over and over but having no tangible results is discouraging to say the least. From the rotation the positives are: I have improved my centring technique, the forms I have made are balanced and centred. I have made bowls, cylinders and tapered forms. I have tried to make flanged lids which are ok-but a little thick at the base. The lids knobs are quite interesting and I like the faint look of Russian palace spirals. The pots that were successful got progressively thinner and had less heaviness at the bottom as my ‘pulling up’ improved. I think my throwing requires quite a bit more practice to be at a level that I would be proud of! I do like the aesthetics of thrown objects and will continue to pursue better outcomes. The immediacy of throwing along with the flowing quality maintained in the clay is attractive. I have done some research for the rotation looking at forms using thrown forms and the history of throwing.
I will post photographs and research material following this entry.
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