April 25 2021

Final Outcome

My final outcome is a set of dinner plates for two people consisting of a starter dish, main dish, side dish and sauce bowl. For this project I decided to draw inspiration from my family heritage, looking at my family tartan, symbol and family members, primarily myself and my mother and the bond between a mother and daughter.

The starter dish is has a simple rectangular form with curved edges. The outside of the dish has a thicker version of my signature texture and is painted a warm yellow that matches the colour of my family tartan, the inside of the dish has been painted a warm cream colour as it matches well with the yellow on the outside of the dish.

The main dish is a large bowl with my family emblem on the front in relief. For this piece I used my signature texture and chose to add a rough edge to the bowl to give it an organic and aged look. The family emblem consists of a black belt that is inscribed with the words “In Time” with an hourglass in the centre. Like my starter dish I used the same family yellow for the outside and cream colour for the inside of the vessel.

For my side dish I create a plate that has the shape of a book. The book illustrated my family name and a portrait of an individual family member on the left and on the right a list of my family members, with the name that matches the portrait on the left underlined in red. In the bottom right corner of the book for I painted my family tartan, using the same yellow I paint the edges of the book to tie all of my pieces together.

Finally in the centre of the table there is a small pot that would be used to hold sauces or other small grazing foods such as nuts. Like the rest of my vessels I have used consistent colours of yellow and cream, however for this vessel I decided to invert the colours so that the outside of the dish was painted a cream colour and the inside a warm yellow. The vessel also has an illustrated “H” on the front in the same font as used on the books, this “H” is a simple illustration of the first initial of my family name.

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April 25 2021

Final Outcome Production

When creating my side plate I began by cutting strips of clay and attaching them to the edge of a rectangular slab of clay using scratch and slip; I added extra clay to the centre of the piece to reinforce the ‘spine’ section of the book and then used various tools to carve, shape and add texture to the plate. I also added a rim to that lined the edge of the book. I repeated this process to create a second book form for the second side dish.

Unfortunately when one of the pieces was leather hard it split in half, but I manged to use slip and wet clay to put the piece back together.

As I did not have enough time to throw my main dishes on the pottery wheel, I decided to hand build them by using a mixing bowl as a mould. i started by cutting a circle and a long strip out of a slab of clay and mould them into the bowl, scratching and slipping them together to make one solid vessel. I explored the use of thicker and thinner slabs of clay for these bowls and found that the thinner bowl form, although lighter, warped easily, making it difficult to shape, add texture and sculptural aspects to the vessel.

 

Once the Bowls became leather hard I took them out of the mould and used a handful of tools to add texture to the bowl. I also created my family emblem and added it to the front of the bowl.

Unfortunately one of my books forms split in half in the kiln and the corner of another also broke.

Despite not having enough time to glaze my bowls, I instead decided to paint my dishes with acrylic paint, and used watercolour pencils to draw on the portraits of my mother and I. I also decided to paint my extra vessel forms to be used as bread plates.

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April 25 2021

Final Outcome Development

For my final outcomes I have decided to make a main dish that consists of a plate and covering dome with sculptural aspects and a side dish shaped like a book that focuses on illustrative decoration.

After experimenting with clay dome forms I found that they clay became too heavy and i would not be able to create a handle for the dome that would be strong enough to lift it, so instead I have changed my main vessel form to a simple bowl with relief aspects on it.

 

Above are the photos i have chosen to draw from for the illustrative aspects of my side dishes.

 

Technical drawing out outcomes:

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April 25 2021

Research

For my final product I want to explore the landscape of my family routes, primarily within Glasgow, Scotland as that is where my mother is from, but also Derry, Northern Ireland as that is where both my great grandmother (who i am named after) and myself are from.

Family Heritage

(Unknown, 2, n.d.)(Viking, 2020 )(ScotClans, 2013)(Unknown, 3, 2020)(Unknown, 1, 2019)

My family has deep routes in both Scotland (Glasgow) and Ireland (Derry).  Every Scottish family/clan has their own tartan, symbol and motto: My family tartan consists of a yellow base with green and brown cross runs through it and my family symbol is of an hour glass with the motto above it “In Time”. My family crest/coat of arms consists of a yellow background which represents generosity, with blue checks on the chevron  – representing loyalty, truth and denotes protection, the crest is brought together with three black martlet birds. In Ireland the martlet is the bird of perpetual movement, it also represents someone who has been dispossessed of land, this links back to the plantation of Ireland).

Textured Bowl (HomeStore, 2021)

Above are a set of white Glaze stoneware ceramic bowls. One of the unique qualities about this product is its organic shape and textures. Each bowl is approximately 2.5″ high and 5.70″ in diameter. The design of these bowls are inspirational to my own as the texture used is not too far from my own ‘signature’ texture I use when adding textures to my ceramic work. I like how these bowls have an ‘organic shape to them as they do not align with modern perfectionism, this gives each bowl a sense of personality as no two are the exact same.

 

Illustrative Bowl (Zindel, 2021)

The above bowl is made of earthware clay and its design focuses on illustration rather than texture or patterned glazes. The dimensions of this bowl are 4″ high and 5.25″ diameter. This product is inspirational to my designs as i want to explore how to use illustrations on my ceramic work to tell a story rather than giving the use information through physical form and shape.

 

Bibliography:

HomeStore, 2021. White pottery bowl set Dinnerware set Pottery bowl Ceramic | Etsy. [online] Etsy. Available at: <https://www.etsy.com/EnjoyYourHomeStore/listing/686172072/white-pottery-bowl-set-dinnerware-set?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=social_organic&utm_source=MSMT&utm_term=so.smt&share_time=1580583434000> [Accessed 1 May 2021]. – (HomeStore, 2021)

ScotClans, 2013. Houston Tartan | ScotClans | Scottish Clans. [online] ScotClans | Scottish Clans. Available at: <https://www.scotclans.com/scottish-clans/clan-houston/houston-tartan/?fbclid=IwAR1ZGBQ_F_YbeD69wn3kTJNE2CwzoDcrwKSDRvqL5dcMq6YBNC7vHTbs2Kg> [Accessed 25 April 2021]. – (ScotClans, 2013)

Unknown, 1., 2019. Houston Coat of Arms, Family Crest – Free Image to View – Houston Name Origin History and Meaning of Symbols. [online] IrishNation.com. Available at: <http://www.irishsurnames.com/cgi-bin/gallery.pl?name=houston&capname=Houston&letter=h&fbclid=IwAR1IUaR-4Pg3Ckrxw3E6viXdM3_9KIdvJR6DWLGwzCxyfie-dT8lRkSjhwI> [Accessed 25 April 2021]. – (Unknown, 2019)

Unknown, 2., n.d. Clan Houston. [online] Tartan Footprint. Available at: <http://www.tartanfootprint.com/houston/> [Accessed 25 April 2021]. – (Unknown, 2, n.d.)

Unknown, 3., 2020. Houston Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms. [online] HouseOfNames. Available at: <https://www.houseofnames.com/houston-family-crest> [Accessed 25 April 2021]. – (Unknown, 3, 2020)

Viking, V., 2020. Clan Houston – Wikipedia. [online] En.m.wikipedia.org. Available at: <https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Houston?fbclid=IwAR2gx2CB0xrwxJh9zrvsuT7rPjO4hJS0QZiQJDGru_Q-lkxgVEkTxM64mTY> [Accessed 25 April 2021]. – (Viking, 2020)

Zindel, L., 2021. Small Bowl: Pinyon Pine Cone. [online] Laura Zindel Design. Available at: <https://www.laurazindel.com/small-bowl-pinyon-pine-cone/#product-tab-description> [Accessed 1 May 2021]. – (Zindel, 2021)

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April 25 2021

Problem Solving

Unfortunately when my vessel forms were drying (ready to be fired) I dropped them and it shattered. As there was no way to fix the vessel and i did not have time to sculpt another boat form, i decided to change my project concept from the titanic to family heritage as i could use simpler vessel forms and detail them in illustrative ways rather than physical properties as this would take much less time and still allow me to produce a set of vessels to the quality i want.

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April 19 2021

Outcome Production

When creating the first part of my vessel form i used slabs to create the base and sides of the dish. I then carved a section out of the back of the boat and used more slabs to get the shape of the boat more accurate to that of the titanic. After getting the shape I needed I used various tools to add a stylised texture.

For the second part of my vessel I rolled a slab and cut it in the same shape as the base so it fit nicely on top of it. I rolled out some more slabs and created a  rectangular form, adding more nits of clay to the inside and smoothing it out to create a bowl shape inside of the vessel. Once I achieve the shape i wanted i again used various tools to add textures.

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April 19 2021

Outcome Research and Development

Richard Shaw (Shaw, 2014)

Above is a ceramic pot and lid that was created by Richard Shaw. Although the pot has a simple form, the lid has a sculptural aspect that depicts the titanic sinking. The pot itself is made from porcelain and has a spotted blue glaze that makes the pot look like the ocean. I think that the way the artists has used his glaze to depict the sea is very interesting as although the pot itself has a simple form the way the glaze has been used gives the piece a new depth. This inspires me to explore how I can used glazes and illustrations to emphasis certain aspects of my work instead of cluttering it with texture.

 

Artifact Replica Titanic Set (unknown, 2021)

This set of ceramics is a replica of the Wisteria pattern dinner set found on the RMS Titanic. “This turquoise and brown pattern (used on the White Star lines ships) is the same pattern used in the 1st Class dining rooms and the verandah cafes on board the RMS Titanic” (unknown, 2021). The set consists of one dinner plate, bread plate, soup bowl teacup and saucer, sugar bowl, milk jug and egg cup. The above ceramic, despite having generic forms have lots of detail that added to their prestigious look. Within my work I may explore how I can use artworks that would have been found on the RMS Titanic to create a landscape of detail and story on ceramicware.

Teatanic (Fitsz, Floyd, 1978)

The teapot above titled ‘Teatanic’ is inspired by the white star line RMS Titanic and was created by Fitz & Floyd Inc in 1978. A lot of my design ideas are sculptural and this piece helps to inspire the different way i can portray my theme that look and new textures and the essence of a piece rather than accurate details and representations.

 

University Cambridge Pottery (Unknown, 2, 2021)

These mid century stackable casserole dishes and lid where created by Universal Cambridge Pottery “in the Bittersweet pattern which features tiny orange/red fruits and leaves with matching trim” (Unknown, 2, 2021). Although all of the dishes have the same diameter (6.5 inches) each dish has a different height, giving them different holding capacities. when stacked the set reaches a height of 8.5 inches tall. The idea of being able to stack the my vessel forms is very interesting as it allows each vessel to me an artwork in itself but also gives the opportunity to creat something new when pieced together.

Daniel Libeskin(Libeskin, 2021)

  • Jewish museum in berlin
  • architect chose to design the building in the shape of a route plotted on a map
  • could use same inspiration to create plates shaped like the route the Titanic took
  • inspires alternative thinking

 

Bibliography

Fitz & Floyd Inc, 1978. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Fitz-Floyd-Inc-Teatanic-White-Star-Line-RMS-Titanic-Ceramic-Tea-Pot/283163834351?hash=item41e… | Fitz and floyd, Tea pots, Rms titanic. [online] Pinterest. Available at: <https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/193584483968269368/> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Fitsz, Floyd, 1978)

Libeskin, D., 2021. Jewish Museum Berlin – Libeskind. [online] Libeskind. Available at: <https://libeskind.com/work/jewish-museum-berlin/> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Libeskin, 2021)

Shaw, R., 2014. Titanic | Hieronymus Objects. [online] Hieronymusobjects.com. Available at: <http://www.hieronymusobjects.com/titanic-richard-shaw-2> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Shaw, 2014)

Unknown, 1., 2021. Artifact Authentic Replica Titanic set | Etsy | Titanic, China sets, Egg holder. [online] Pinterest. Available at: <https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/136233957467126653/> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Unknown, 1, 2021)

Unknown, 2., 2021. Universal Cambridge Pottery Stackable Casserole Dishes With | Etsy. [online] Etsy. Available at: <https://www.etsy.com/listing/574924936/universal-cambridge-pottery-stackable?share_time=1539037788000> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Unknown, 2, 2021)

 

Technical sketch of final outcome:

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April 19 2021

Research

Adrien Miller (Miller, 2021)

Adrien Miller is an artist, sculptor, potter and painter from Seattle. She creates ceramic dishes that have human figures and forms, such as faces on them in relief. The artists adds thick layers of different coloured glazes to her work which run into each other and around the shapes in each of her vessels when heated in the kiln. The mix of colours used in each piece gives the vessels an energetic and uplifting feel, reflecting the artists own personality.

Miller’s work is inspirational to my own as some of my design ideas link directly to the person each place setting is for, looking at identity and connection between two people. One form of connection between people are relationships, whether this is a maternal/paternal relationship, romantic relationship or an ordinary friendship. The way this artist uses colour inspires me to explore how to use colour to emphasis personality and energy of a character in abstract forms.

 

Polly Johnson (Johnson, 2021)

Polly Johnson creates porcelain objects that have primitive marks, words and sometimes illustrations carved into them. To create these artworks Johnson covers the porcelain in a coloured slip and uses a process called graffito to create her markings, this is where she uses various tools to scratch through the surface to expose the colour of the base clay. Each artwork is filled with words and markings until there is no blank spaces left of the vessel, they portray visual and verbal narratives of sound bites, folklore and imaginary ruminations. This artwork is interesting as if gives the viewer a lot of information on a such a small surface without looking cluttered. The marking and words flow into each other to create beautiful patterns and illustrations, adding unique textures and qualities to each piece.

It would be interesting to see how I can use the processes that Johnson uses in her work in my own designs. With the processes mentioned above could make simple vessel forms and add the detail and reinvent markings onto my work that link to my theme. This would allow me to simply, yet effectively transform simple vessels into that of which tell as story.

 

Glen Martin Taylor (Taylor, 2021)

Glen Martin Taylor combines ceramics with various metal forms, from cutlery to barb wire. The concept of combining different material with ceramicware is something that I could potentially use in my own work, as some of my designs (like those linked to The Trouble and family trees) involve moulding wire around/through ceramic to add new dimensions and possibilities.

 

3D Printed stacking ceramics (Gray, 2015)

The vessel forms seen above were designed by Elise Luttik and Hester Stolkand ceramically and were made with ceramic 3D-printing. “These vertically stacking objects take a lesson from urban skyscrapers, saving space by building up instead of sideways.” (Gray, 2015). Despite their simple shapes the designers chose to use bright coloured glazes to make them more appealing to the modern day user. Each component is a different shape and different size, they can be taken apart to be used separately or stacked together to take up less space. The concept of creating ceramicware that is stackable is very interesting to me as each section of the vessel could be an artwork in itself, and yet still be able to create something new when merged together, giving the user a new view and perspective of the vessel.

 

Bibliography

Gray, C., 2015. 3D-Printed Stacking Ceramics. [online] TrendHunter.com. Available at: <https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stacking-objects> [Accessed 19 April 2021]. – (Gray, 2015)

Johnson, P., 2021. Polly Johnson ceramic artist. [online] POLLY JOHNSON. Available at: <https://pollyjohnson.studio/> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Johnson, 2021)

Miller, A., 2021. adrienmillerart. [online] Instagram.com. Available at: <https://www.instagram.com/adrienmillerart/> [Accessed 10 April 2021]. – (Miller, 2021)

Taylor, G., 2021. Glen Martin Taylor. [online] Glen Martin Taylor. Available at: <http://glenmartintaylor.com/?fbclid=IwAR2I3xCVrar-9npUPe6EVHEeohRaGMzBWF7IxeAq5POoEJtyfSREUPQxU94> [Accessed 19 April 2021]. – (Taylor, 2021)

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