Applied Arts - Final Project

I'm a bit late posting this but here are a few shots from my final project in Applied Arts. It was a great year, I learned so much and it's all really valuable for my course this year.

This project was based on the notion of function, I spoke about it in an earlier post here.  I was happy with how the pieces turned out, I wanted to insinuate human damage by intentionally making the vases limb-like and in pairs and also by "inflicting" bruise and cut-like decoration.  I was hoping that these objects would invite the viewer to question the perception, meaning and limits of human functionality.

My First Raku!

My first piece of raku ceramics! The process was so interesting, after bisc firing we painted our pieces with copper oxide glazes. I painted this piece with a turquoise copper oxide glaze, the bright copper is as a result of the fire in the cooling process (cooling in damp sawdust!) burning all the oxide out of the glaze, leaving only the copper. It's science!

Here's some photos of the process:

The Market Bench Project Pt 1.

I made my first market bench maquette! Based on a chilli, it's made from recycled clay so unfortunately we won't be firing it. Can't wait to paint it!

We're all making a number of benches, my second bench is based on fish fillets, hopefully not obvious from ground level but very apparent in an aerial view. I'm thinking of Jean Jullien's work here! In the New Year we'll pick one bench from all of our designs to make.

Beginning the Market Bench project

BIG NEWS!! I'm a first year undergrad student at Applied Art in Crawford College of Art and Design as of this week! Wooo!! As a result i've bid a sad goodbye to DEIS. I've had a good 5 years here and have great colleagues. I'm really excited, also scared about money but mainly really excited.

We started our first ceramics project yesterday. Making a bench based on the theme of market. I got myself down to the fine English Market and took some snaps. I was thinking of doing a ridiculous / hilarious tacky bench commemorating the Queen's visit, covering it with fish motifs in reference to that brilliant photo, in the style of the typical ridiculous / hilarious tacky ceramic monarchy memorabilia! I've kind of gone from that idea now though, instead i'm thinking of making a giant chilli bench, bright, colourful, and I love chillies, is that enough of a reason?! Art college: you tell me! I was at Electric Picnic earlier this month and they had this great art piece in the Body and Soul, a giant table & chairs, it creates a lovely surrealness sitting on something that makes you feel tiny, so I guess that's what i'm going for with this chilli! I'm also thinking of the fab Mae West couch created by Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dali.

Here are some of my pictures from today, I love the market!