Ref: S4D41828
Functional pots including the handmade and industrially-produced, which do their job well and look good, are always a pleasure to use. The starting point for this porcelain throwing course is an examination of the formal relationships between pieces in a maker's work, and how the consideration of scale, shape, function and decoration can bring a sense of coherence to a body of work and make the impact of the group greater than the sum of its individual parts. All of these elements are integral to the development of a maker's voice. You need to be able to confidently centre and throw a porcelain cylinder to enable you join this course.
During the course, with the support and guidance of the tutor, you will devise and work on individual projects making groups of pots that contain a visual narrative, utilising the processes of throwing and turning. As you will be working on primarily functional forms, there will also be the opportunity to work on handles, lids and spouts. The tutor will be on hand to demonstrate the techniques used in his own practice. In addition to the making, there will be the opportunity to discuss various decorative and glazing techniques.
The tutor will provide source material as inspiration and there will be plenty of time for discussion of ideas between the tutor and individual students. At the end of the course, all participants will present a selection of work for an informal group review.
The course fee includes the cost of providing all clay, glazing and firing costs (large work in size and quantity may be charged extra).
A variety of art and craft materials are available to buy in the Gardens Gatehouse Shop.
Firing and glazing options:
Leave any raw, finished pieces that you wish to keep, for biscuit firing, basic glazing and re-firing by the College, for collection within six months.
Leave raw, finished pieces for biscuit firing at the College. You can then book a place on a Glazing Day and glaze your own work (allowing four weeks for your work to be biscuit fired). This work will be re-fired after glazing and available for collection within six months.
Take away your unfired pots for firing and glazing elsewhere.
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Chris has taught at West Dean since 2011 and has been a visiting lecturer at several London colleges and in Freiburg. He trained as Edmund de Waal's first apprentice. Chris' work is thrown porcelain and is held in several museum collections, including the V&A. Chris is a Fellow of the CPA.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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