Pots
If it’s too hot to hold, it’s too hot to drink
These pots were inspired by Yunomi, Japanese teacups without handles. There is a connection between form, function and the senses: if the hands can’t hold the cup, then the tongue won’t be able to taste the tea.
These pots have a focused and contemporary shape, informed by a rich history. The shadow foot elevates and separates the pot from its surroundings, much like the function of a shadow gap between the wall and the floor in an art gallery.
Made from stoneware, the Yunomi-inspired cups were fired to a high temperature and feature oxides together with a white satin glaze. The earthenware pots on the other hand hold bolder glazes; I enjoy the combination of colour and shape.
I am interested in the connection between maker, recipient and the function of the pot. Before these pots I made Meoto Yunomi ‘couple cups’ as a wedding gift. A sense of tradition and ceremony was inherent in them. There was also a sense of connection and sharing, not only for the couple but also in the act of making and gift giving for such an auspicious occasion.
The pots are also about me releasing control; my part in letting go of a creative process I am deeply invested in. I have an understanding of what is outside of my control in my practice: a glaze firing in a kiln; inviting a technician to decide how to install my plastic coats; the function of the pots once gifted or sold: ornament, cup, plant pot, other?
The surface decoration of the Yunomi-inspired pots evolved from experimental strokes with Japanese brushes into abstract landscape glaze paintings. After seeing each layer fused through high firing in the kiln, I responded with more brush strokes. The kiln added a tweak in narrative each time, creating unexpected twists and turns at each stage of the story.
As I write about my work – I remember how much I enjoyed practising calligraphy as a child, and I can see similarities between drawing words and applying glazes using Japanese brushes.
Calligraphy is drawing words.
Japanese kanji are drawings as writing.
As I write, I draw, as I draw, I write.
“Stunning. I like the series very much. The surfaces are sophisticated and composed like an Asian ink drawing”
— Garth Clark, Editor-in-Chief, Cfile Daily
Artwork details
Title: Pots
Year: 2020
Materials: Stoneware, oxides, white satin glaze / Earthenware, glaze
Dimensions: Various
Photography by Lisa Scantlebury