Cubism in ceramics development
After doing some research, a study group trip to C.o.C.A Collection of Ceramic Art in The York Art Gallery, currently host to some of Pablo Picasso ceramic pieces I have been inspired to create a maquette in our workshop lesson this week.
Please open each image to reveal a brief narrative of the process.
The lesson was to create drop moulded square bon bon trays that then could be adapted to make into wall-hanging pieces. The process for this appeared pretty straight forward, using a frame, like the example below (sourced from the internet). Frames can be separate 4 lengths (held by elastic band) or as here fixed square.
You begin by selecting the type of clay you wish to use, I think a smooth clay will work best for this type of work, although you could use any.
Prepare as you would normally. Roll out the clay to the desired thickness, remembering to allow for shrinkage, and sufficient size to completely cover the mould with excess, do not trim back at this stage. Prepare an area of the floor with news paper, as the next stage is to drop, from approximately a metre high, flat to the floor with clay uppermost. The gravity and weight ratio should not only cut the clay to the mould but shape it at the same time, the deeper you wish the dish/wall plaque to be the more slack you allow when you lay the rolled clay onto the mould. Decorate in whatever you have planned, once completed you can neaten your edges this is done by placing a board on top (be sure your decoration is dry) the flip so your pattern/design is underneath, use a cutting knife to trim back any excess, this prevents any cracking during shrinkage process. If you wish to hang the finished work, then roll a small sausage of clay, key the surface and attach a central loop, smooth down and allow to leather before any further work. If you intend to use as a flat surface dish you could add small feet, a couple of inches in, by each corner by the same process.