Learning Agreement

L E A R N I N G A G R E E M E N T

Project Proposal

Name: Kathryn Stevens

MA Course: Ceramics

Date : 9 December 2020

Version Number: 2

Project Title / Research Question: How Do Artists Perceive Sense Of Place In Their Work?

Proposed study / What?

Having lived my whole life in one town, my project will centre around the raw materials found in the Furness Peninsula, creating a theme of work inspired by its natural and industry landscape. Art is about self-expression and therefore using local materials will help express my sense of place. My intention is to produce large outdoor structural 3D textured forms which incorporate raw materials from my local area, constructed using hand building techniques on high-fired paperclays. My form has been inspired by a decaying boat in the Walney Channel, symbolising the decline in our local shipbuilding industry. A range of surface decoration will be explored to emphasise and enhance the sculptural qualities of the work including formulating my own glazes, slip and oxide finishes.

Rationale / Why?

Barrow In Furness is steeped in industrial history and grew from exploiting its natural resources and geology. My work has also been inspired from a poem by Lilian Cooksey “Coniston Miners - From a geological fault comes an underground world where the imprint of a small clog tells its story”. There will be two important elements within my work. The use of Askam Grog will represent my mum as a homemaker whilst my dad will be represented through the textures inspired by his technical shipbuilding drawings. My work will be installed in the outside space as this is where their two worlds (home & work) collided. Human connection plays an important part in our sense of place and helps explain our story.

Aim & Objectives

My masters project is going to consist of two main areas. My main drive will be to explore my form which is inspired by the shape and structure of decaying boats in Walney Channel. My range will include large garden modular installations as well as smaller pieces for inside the home. They will include Askam Grog (a local brick clay) and incorporate textures inspired by technical steam turbine drawings used in the local shipbuilding industry of the past. The textural forms will then be enhanced with the application of glazes and oxides. Secondly, time will be dedicated to developing a glaze from raw local materials found in the Furness Peninsula.

The main objectives that need to be achieved to meet this aim are:

Develop textural techniques to incorporate on my finished work.
Test firing temperatures of local raw materials.
Explore and develop organic forms suitable for garden sculptures in an outside setting.
Complete a body of work which can be adapted for interiors.
Formulate glaze recipes using local raw materials.
Search solutions for installation of finished work and how work will be presented.

Plan / How?

My plan of work is as follows:

Investigate sculptors, ceramic artists and fine artists on how they interpret the concept of sense of place.
Consider work by other ceramic artists to establish their use of form, texture and mark making.
Identify and compile a catalogue of local raw materials which can be incorporated into my work.
Compile a library of images which are mechanical and natural in form to influence my work.
Investigate production methods and installation solutions for large sculptural work.
Experiment with different clay bodies.
Develop and test different glaze recipes using local raw materials.
Compare and contrast glazing materials in terms of visual and tactile effects on finished work.
Explore the application of texture, mark making, carving and glaze application in my designs which capture the essence of the Furness Peninsula.
Experimentation with texture using stamps, impressions, collage, layers of slip and underglazes, pressed slabs and application of grog.
Develop expertise in making larger pieces of work through reflection and problem solving to overcome construction issues.
Refine and record all processes so that they are reproducible and consistent.
Build a library of techniques that will enable me to produce new work which have been influenced by the concept of sense of place.
Experimentation with form using simple plaster moulds, sand moulds, combinations of slab building, coiling, pinching or modelling and solid blocks of clay.
Experimentation with narrative ideas through structured and regular sessions of drawing.
Produce a range of test tiles showing different base glazes and different colour combinations.
Experiment with additions to clay bodies with materials sourced locally.
Study colour based on inspiration from my local environment.

Intended Outcomes of Project / What - solution?

At the end of my MA Ceramics, I am hoping to have produced the large-scale ceramic work and smaller sculptural pieces discussed above. As a result, my existing knowledge in key areas of ceramic construction and surface decoration and texture will be both tested and enriched. The project involves a significant requirement to present work that is both aesthetically and architecturally strong in form. This, too, will provide challenges along the way and improve my expertise in problem solving and design analysis. I hope to have developed unique glazes using local raw materials including shale, clay and slate from the Furness Peninsular. I want to be competent at managing my own home studio.