Brakspear Ceramics: Landscape, clay and function. Please click on photographs to see projects / information etc….
There’s a lot more to follow on this, and another of my small books available to tell the story behind these beakers.. They’re made from the clay dug In my good friend Mick’s bit of woodland, and have become a bit of a talking point at my local pub, The Plough on Deansway, Worcester, where my prototype is used by yours truly several times a week……
See:
http://www.worcestershireopenstudios.org/
Instagram:
#brakspearceramics and #worcestershireopenstudios2017
As with most of my work, mugs are often made of the clays I dig (earthenware and stoneware) and glazed with materials from these localities. Handles are all hand pulled.
I’m delighted that I have an article to be published about the work at Woodrow First School (see below – November 23, 2015), in the summer 2017 edition of Primary Geography. I will be sending out new leaflets about the work I can offer to schools in the new year….. It would be great to have the chance to do this kind of work again.
Looking at the tiles and thinking back on the discussions we had about the importance of shelter – it is clear to me that reflection on core human “needs” (shelter, water, air, food – and care / love – call it what you will) – is absolutely vital in education. The children have so much empathy, interest and concern – for other people, and for wildlife. When that is combined with work that develops analysis & critical thinking (along the lines of Bloom’s Taxonomy – e.g. see for one interpretation) with the ability to react – and actually do something, then there is not only the development of knowledge and understanding, but also some empowerment as well. We can make a difference – and be part of the solution, not just part of the problem.
I’m just preparing to get started with new work. It’s an interesting time, because I want to develop two strands; one focused on my investigations of place linked to landscape / environment and the way that clay and ceramics fit with the local economy (bakeries, dairying, brick / tile works, places to eat and drink… etc.). as well as at a domestic scale, with a second strand focusing on making functional forms – particularly those linked to making bread and serving food and drink.
The big challenge is sourcing material and processing it in any meaningful amount – hence the need to think about the two strands….. I’ll be heading out to talk to farmers and quarries again soon – but also I’ll be heading back to Stoke to talk with some of the clay manufactures to see what fits best with my commitment to source clay that is as local to me or to the project I am working on as possible.
Brakspear Ceramics 