Russell Kingston (10 April 2019)

Wednesday 10 April 2019, 7:45pm at Polehampton Junior School

Russell Kingston 

Spending my youth spread between heavy metal festivals and sub heavy raves (that’s loud music for you older folks). It dawned on me that at some point I was going to need a “real job”. I decided that a 2 year course in ceramics might calm the soul…it didn’t, but it certainly fired it up and it turned out I was quite good at it.

So after escaping Devon to the Hustle and Bustle of Brighton (that’s as near to a city I would live), to see what metropolis had to offer, I soon realised that you can take the boy out of the Shire, but you cant take the Devonshire out of the boy. Returning to my roots seemed the best thing to do.

Loving all things Devon (and Brian’s kiln not reaching stoneware temperatures) Slipware was the only way to go. Taking from the traditions and heritage of North Devon and mixing in some contemporary freshness to create functional wares at affordable prices. My current work has a real folky appeal and is now being collected by those who have discovered the joy of handmade wares with personality.

Im always experimenting by modifying glazes and varying firing techniques. After all, being able to control fire to create, instead of destroy, is a sensible pyromaniacs dream.

 

 

Kirsteen Holouj 12 June 2019

Wednesday 12 June 2019, 7:45pm at Polehampton Junior School

Kirsteen Holuj (12 June 2019)

 

 

 

I describe myself as a maker of ceramic, but this title does not really cover everything that I do.
Clay has its limitations and to fulfil the completion of a design I often have to explore other
techniques and materials resulting in mixed media pieces. My inspiration mainly comes from the
natural world – plants, rocks, sand, seeds, textures. Visits to the Inner Hebrides have also had
an influence on my work.
Some of my sculptural work is fired in an electric kiln.  I also make work that I can put in the
soda kiln and also raku fire, these processes are much more sensory … you can see the glazes melt,
feel the heat of the fire, smell the smoke in the air. Running raku workshops from Westbury Arts
Centre south of Milton Keynes has allowed me to introduce this exciting firing process with lots
of other creative people.

David Wright 11 Sept 2019

Wednesday 12 June 2019, 7:45pm at Polehampton Junior School

David Wright (11 Sept 2019)

 

 

  • Ceramics by David Wright at Studiopottery.co.uk - 2011. Large wood fired bottle with ash glaze
    2011. Large wood fired bottle with ash glaze
 

David Wright makes hand-built vessels from coils of clay. A coarse clay is used; the resulting texture an important feature of all the work. As the coils of clay are pinched and blended together they are beaten and scraped to refine the shape and form. The work is slow allowing the clay to stiffen at various stages, the form develops, often changing as the clay may suggest. As the processes dictate each piece is highly individual and unique.

A simple ash glaze is used, often using ash left from the kiln, the natural ash deposit adds extra interest. Each firing has its own story and differs from the previous ones depending on wood supply, weather conditions and placement of vessels within the kiln.

 Web-site: www.davidwrightpottery.co.u

Sarah Jenkins 9 October 2019

Wednesday 9 October2019, 7:45pm at Polehampton Junior School

Sarah Jenkins (9 October 2019)

‘From my studio in a shallow dip of rolling farmland, I witness the enduring landscape exposed to the weather, the changing seasons, and passing of the sun. I glimpse the progress of wild creatures in the margins and ponder on the various traces of human life.’ 

This was an earlier attempt to describe the why and wherefore of my work. Is it still true? As usual, I find definition eludes me, although those words are at least in part true, I find my work is more abstracted now, more internalised. With each piece of work I am on a quest for the right resonating frequency, something human, something describing nature and the rightness of it. A kind of truth.

 Website: