Unit X Development

The success of any project involves research, whether as an individual or as a group. As stated before, we have been split into working groups of six. Weekly meetings with my group have helped bring together this project. Ideas have been discussed and shared, which have helped me to consolidate my own intentions for this project. It is through research and experimentation that I am able to broaden my ideas, aims and to visualise my objectives in this project.

I have researched the ceramic artist Gordan Baldwin OBE. A designer who has worked with both earthenware and stoneware. He is now in his 80’s, but during his career he has worked as a teacher at Eton College and produced many unique art forms and is known as one of the worlds most renowned ceramic designers. His sculptural forms are works of art. His work includes ‘vessel forms’, hollow or concave items, unique designs, a world away from the regular bowls, vases and typical practical pots. More than a hundred of his items were on display in a touring exhibition known as ‘objects for a landscape’. Baldwin is known to give titles to all of his artwork, this could be an idea from literature, art or a quote from a poem or music. He does not usually decorate his finished work, preferring the natural form and weathered effect seen on the outer surface of a stone or pebble. One of his favourite places is a small beach in North Wales on the Lleyn Peninsula, which he lovingly refers to as ‘the place of stones’. I wonder if this is where he found his influence and inspiration for the stone like effect of his ceramic work. I feel this surface effect will further influence my samples. 

My developments in this project have been a slow process. After much thought, I decided I wanted to create a pattern of cracked and broken ceramics. To achieve this without physically creating a ceramic structure and being influenced by my textile background, I had to find techniques that would give me the required effect on fabric. As a group we decided to smash ceramic items, I chose two ceramic plates and set out to drop them from a height to break the plates and explore the broken pattern and form they created. The first problem I encountered was the plates needed more force to smash. I therefore had to strike them with a hammer to achieve the desired effect. To compare how different materials react I also decided to smash a ceramic floor tile to see what effect would be achieved. Through this process I decided to record imagery through photographs and primary drawings.

My creative process so far is to produce a crackle effect using a flour paste technique onto cotton fabric. Whilst waiting for my samples to dry, before creating the crackled effect, I have further researched into two other techniques which involve using emulsion paint and acrylic paint to achieve a similar effect. I intend to compare all techniques and discuss my results. 

I am still not entirely sure of the direction I wish to follow and the end goal I want to achieve. It is still very much a work in progress. However on this project I intend to explore different processes and be more experimental. I hope taking these risks will prove to be beneficial and improve my final outcome. With the deadline date fast approaching I am now conscious of my time management and hope to achieve productive and effective end results.