Kiln Diary #03
I am excited this month to be involved in various projects that promote makers and craftsmanship in all disciplines. London Craft Week opening the first week in October celebrates outstanding British and international creativity. This year the festival brings together over 250 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from around the world. I will be showing a selected group of my soda-fired tableware at the Hampstead based Maud and Mabel Gallery.
“My functional range of domestic stoneware combines contemporary design with traditional processes and materials. They are pots with a sense of vitality, generosity and a bold simplicity of form.”
30th September – 10th October 2020
Working with clay, cloth, and wood, Maud & Mabel feature a carefully curated selection of beautiful everyday objects. As part of London Craft Week, the gallery will be featuring a collection of my stoneware pieces with a focus on daily use. My functional range of domestic stoneware combines contemporary design with traditional processes and materials. they are pots with a sense of vitality and generosity, a bold simplicity of form and my distinctive soda-fired surfaces. Our homes are now world café’s full of possibilities. With libraries of cookbooks connecting us with world cultures and a fusion of global ideas about sharing, serving and presenting food.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE IN CRAFT
Homo Faber Guide Launch 2020
Launched this month is the online Homo Faber Guide celebrating excellence in craft. This unique online guide is curated by the Michelangelo Foundation to explore, discover and visit specialist artisans and makers, studios, galleries and selected destinations across Europe.
The Michelangelo Foundation, for creativity and craftsmanship, is an international non-profit organisation that celebrates and preserves master craftsmanship and strengthens its connection to the world of design. The aim is to help people rediscover the ability of the human hand to create, and support those doing it best: the exceptional contemporary European master artisans using long-held traditions, skills and knowledge to make beautiful objects of lasting value. I am delighted to be included in this ambitious and inspiring project. Please do sign up or download the App to support and promote an exciting community of international makers or follow @michelangelofoundation on Instagram.
As we move into Autumn the studio is filled with the expectation of new work and I am working towards a firing in the next few weeks. We are also currently working on a short film for the Loewe Foundation to promote the craft prize exhibition now rescheduled for Spring 2021 at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. The studio tour will be shown in January as part of the series Loewe En Casa @loewefoundation to gain an insight into the work of the 30 finalists.
We will be announcing news about our next online shop next month.
For any enquiries please do contact me
jack@dohertyporcelain.com
Follow us @dohertyporcelain
NOTES FROM THE STUDIO
My work is made using one clay, one mineral and a single firing. Over time the process has become simpler and more refined in the belief that stripping away the unnecessary can produce work with complexity and depth. I enjoy the fluid, sensual nature of porcelain combined with the freedom of throwing and hand-building. My firing technique is unique; a vital and dynamic process using soda as a catalyst to create a reaction with copper to produce a subtle palette of colour and texture closely integrated with the form.
