DEBORAH WEYMONT
-I have made art all my life and am mainly self-taught having dropped out of art school in the 1970's. I started ceramics in adult education classes and for the past 10 years have been developing my interest in tiles and tile making as well as handbuilding pots and sculptural pieces.
In relation to tile making I have a particular interest in traditional techniques such as 'Delftware', as developed during the 16th Century -using tin glaze and cobalt oxide. Also, medieval ‘encaustic’ or inlaid tiles made throughout Europe.
Recent handbuilding projects have included combining different clays and different ceramic traditions to make large pots and plates. The invitation is to 'look again' and to see something that is both familiar and new. The work is experimental and playful-integrating traditional materials and craft techniques with a modern attitude and aesthetic.
I am currently working with ‘wild clay’ dug from common land and land enclosed by the crown, church and landed aristocracy. I get permission to dig surface clay which I process and use to make natural pigments, pastels clay bodies and glazes. I then make artefacts which invite us to see the world differently and tell new stories about our ‘green and pleasant land’ .
In relation to our HYBRID 2023 exhibition theme of ‘Colour’ I am enjoying exploring the many possibilities of working with the restricted colour palette of the earth.
Deborah is semi-retired from a 40 year career in inner-city special education in London and Bristol. She currently works part time as a supervisor to Art and Play Therapists. Deborah has a studio at Clay Shed Bristol https://www.clayshed.co.uk/ and is enjoying having more time in which to make art and take part in exhibitions. As well as being a member of Hybrid artists group Deborah is a founding member of ‘Bristol Clay’ a group of women ceramic artists who exhibit together bi-annually. https://www.instagram.com/bristol.clay/?hl=en
In relation to tile making I have a particular interest in traditional techniques such as 'Delftware', as developed during the 16th Century -using tin glaze and cobalt oxide. Also, medieval ‘encaustic’ or inlaid tiles made throughout Europe.
Recent handbuilding projects have included combining different clays and different ceramic traditions to make large pots and plates. The invitation is to 'look again' and to see something that is both familiar and new. The work is experimental and playful-integrating traditional materials and craft techniques with a modern attitude and aesthetic.
I am currently working with ‘wild clay’ dug from common land and land enclosed by the crown, church and landed aristocracy. I get permission to dig surface clay which I process and use to make natural pigments, pastels clay bodies and glazes. I then make artefacts which invite us to see the world differently and tell new stories about our ‘green and pleasant land’ .
In relation to our HYBRID 2023 exhibition theme of ‘Colour’ I am enjoying exploring the many possibilities of working with the restricted colour palette of the earth.
Deborah is semi-retired from a 40 year career in inner-city special education in London and Bristol. She currently works part time as a supervisor to Art and Play Therapists. Deborah has a studio at Clay Shed Bristol https://www.clayshed.co.uk/ and is enjoying having more time in which to make art and take part in exhibitions. As well as being a member of Hybrid artists group Deborah is a founding member of ‘Bristol Clay’ a group of women ceramic artists who exhibit together bi-annually. https://www.instagram.com/bristol.clay/?hl=en
Processing wild clay 2023
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....sieving............... drying................... ...wedging......... ...test firings......