future artefact - ceramic vessels
In Term 2 we studied the conceptual, aesthetic, and fundamental nature of ceramics, and to what degree they affect the decisions of an everchanging society. A quote by Christian Violatti was the foundation for 'Future Artefact' stating how the elements of pottery (shape, type of surface, colours, drawing patterns and decorative styles) in particular cultures and times can lead the development of a society by challenging ideas, values, or authorities.
We commenced our artmaking process by visiting the Art Express gallery on an excursion to gain inspiration from prior HSC major works and brainstorm the conceptual ideas which were primarily from our wallpaper designs, as well as designing the aesthetic properties our pots would have.
Unintentionally, I chose two of the technically hardest forms when working with earthenware clay, which was a sphere and a flat slab. The idea I had in mind was to create two identical book ends in the shape of an 'L' from two rectangular slabs combined together and a hemisphere in the middle. My conceptual idea behind this was to signify conflict and dispersion that our society is facing with opposing ideas such as racism, gender identities, climate change, wars, and politics.
After many lessons learning the correct technique to handle and shape clay, I made four rectangular slabs that were identical in size with the assistance of a slab roller and a paper cut-out, used as a stencil. From here, I waited a few days for the clay to harden slightly and combined the slabs by first scoring the area where they connect, and then applying slurry to reduce air bubbles, which was held in place by a metal stand which wasn’t exactly 90 degrees but was good enough. Proceeding, I built a hemisphere on top of each 'L' shaped book end using a technique called coiling, which was a challenge as I was determined to achieve two identical, perfectly round hemispheres. The pots were then fired in a kiln, coming out rock hard for us to paint, and using white and black glaze, I painted a checkers design on my pot, continuing the same conceptual idea by incorporating two polar opposite colours, signifying societies differences. Overall, this was an awesome term, as it gave me the skills and knowledge to take into my HSC year and beyond.
Written by Benji Dyce