Juicy Vessels - Year 8

The work of Brighton ceramic artist Kate Malone inspired this project with my year 8 students. We are fortunate enough to have a kiln in our department so this is put to good use with every year group in order for them to explore and develop 3-D skills in Art through experimentations in clay. This year 8 project encourages students to explore the work of contemporary designers. The students having previously studied the 'Arts and Crafts movement' in year 7 & the work of William Morris and William De Morgan realise how craft has changed. We look at the inspirations behind Malone's designs and the way she approaches this including the techniques she uses such as sprigging, relief & impressing. They use research skills and are eager to share what they have discovered. They really get very energetic about this and we often re-cap to see what they have remembered. It is interesting to find out what captures their imagination the most in this. The students found it interesting that she has studio's in different countries.

 Following investigation into Kate Malone's work the students then explored different fruit to reflect the inspirations behind many of Malon's own ceramics. These lessons are very interesting as some students are unfamiliar with exotic fruit such as 'dragon fruit' and 'Lychee' whilst others express much enthusiasm for these. Sadly some are unfamiliar with fruit that you would assume they would know such as 'blackberries'! They develop skills in observation and draw from both primary and secondary sources. Following this they learn design skills and begin to use imagination to incorporate the textures, shapes and colours into a pot design.

This week the students completed their ceramic pots after learning over a number of lessons various techniques. They have been absorbed in the making of their pieces. They have transferred the skills relating to the application of the formal elements in 3-dimensions with great results.

I'm very pleased with them & the next stage will be the excitement and sometimes disappointments of the firing where students release their objects of Art to the god of the firey kiln and await his approval! So lets see what happens!