This years assessment was on 17th January, With Dave Binns and Rob Parr. We were asked to present progress since the last formal assessment in May. My developing thoughts had been set down in an updated learning agreement, a power point presentation (prepared primarily for my peers in class), sketches, and of course a display of representative samples of my work. It was also an opportunity to assemble and test my water feature. I set up in a borrowed waste bin, propped up the base plate with bags of clay, supported my central copper pipe (encasing the water supply pipe) with more clay, added bisqued pieces to make up roughly the correct height and turned on the power! As you see, water is flowing over the surface and down the carved channels from the 8mm diameter plastic pipe which reaches to the top. The pump has been turned to 'minimal', so with greater power, and a cone shaped reservoir in the top piece, it should flow nicely down several sides. With greater power still it should drop from layer to layer, creating the sounds as well as visual effect. The flow and the visual effect should be enhanced when I have the coloured glaze on. This assessment was timed only a few weeks after I had developed a satisfactory glaze, so I had only a few coloured forms (some of them very experimental ) to put together to demonstrate a totem and cane toppers. Here they are anyway. Our detailed discussion focused on spacers, a better design for the base plate, and how these pieces could be presented in the MA show. I made lots of notes. Why a better design for the base plate? Well, a closer inspection than in the first photo above shows some pretty catastrophic cracks. It needs some built in support on the back. I am also proposing to build the next one with rolled slabs, joined together using James Oughtibridge's method and carved when much drier. These adjustments should allow me to make a plate with a much more even edge and thickness, saving both time and clay.
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AuthorI am indulging my passion for ceramics by undertaking studies for an MA at UCLAN Archives
August 2021
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