24-2021 – Rachel Wood – The Infinite Vessel

Introduction

This workshop will aim to refresh, revitalise and deepen your connection with the hand building techniques of pinching and coiling. Using an experimental approach, you will be able to gain confidence, develop competent skills and befriend your clay! You will also learn and apply surface decoration and mark making techniques to add vitality and life to your work, so that the natural qualities of the clay, and your Tuscan experience, come shining through.

Techniques taught

The course will begin with the fundamentals of coiling and pinching techniques. Then through playful experiments, and some group work, we will explore the physical qualities of the clay, appreciate it strengths, and exploit its limitations. Using an investigative approach, we shall also experiment with surface treatment through the application of slips and glaze to build layer and depth to your work. Your own handmade tiles will be perfect for this in order to get speedy results through the test kiln, the results of which will later inform larger pieces made later in the week.

Teaching Method

Students will be continually encouraged and supported on an individual basis to help them translate introductory experiments into larger pieces. There will also be a slide show presentation one evening about Rachel’s own work, inspirations and philosophy to making.

The Artist

Because of travel related reasons,this year Rachel Wood cannot teach the corse. It will nevertheless take place, taught by Isabella Fazzo.

Isabella Fazzo was born in Milan. She studied art, specializing in ceramics at the Royal Forest of Dean College in Gloucestershire, England. In Italy, she attended courses at La Meridiana and studied under the guidance of the founder Pietro Elia Maddalena, In 2008, she obtained a Master of Arts in Ceramics from U.W.I.C. Cardiff Metropolitan University. She lives in Florence where she works and teaches, collaborating with various institutions. She says of herself: “I move in many different fields of creativity and teach in these fields with joy, passion and astonishment. Life has brought unexpected as well as surprising experiences and perhaps most importantly, has led to look at it always with fresh sight. ” http://www.isabellafazzo.com

Rachel Wood studied ceramics at Loughborough College of Art and Design. Rachel was also assistant to the potter Robin Welch, and has completed several residencies including at Rufford Craft Centre, Sturt Craft Centre, Australia, and Guldagergaard International Ceramic Research Centre, Denmark. She now teaches and exhibits extensively in the UK, Germany, Netherlands, France and Australia. Her work is found in private and public collections. She says of herself: “I am inspired by the world around me…the colours, shapes and the textures of the landscape. I want each pot to convey its own spirit and character…to have a pulse and a heartbeat. I want the marks to reflect the journey of exploration and learning in each pot, just as a wrinkle or dimple depicts expression and character in a human face.” www.rachelwoodceramics.co.uk