Narratives in Clay

It's time to start another project for my MA in Ceramics at UCLan. This one will form the basis of my research for my overall masters, so I'm turning to what I've been reliably informed I do muchly, storytelling. This is one of those instances where people see things in you that you do not see in yourself. Yes, I name everything (we all have a whicker shopping trolley named Bartholamew, right? No? Well, an anglepoise lamp called Washington then? Really? Okay, so just me), and yes I make up stories about people that I see, and then there's the whole imaginary world that lives in my head... Even I know most folk don't have that going on. So there it is - a realisation or a dawning of the fact that I'm a storyteller.

To return this back to academic research (having got over being discombobulated by personal realisations) my overriding aim for my masters will be Narratives in Clay. Having discussed all tangents around this with Rob, my tutor, I decided some primary research was in order and that my best option was to go to the V&A Museum in London to see their ceramics department. I love the V&A Museum. It really is my favourite museum. There is always so much to explore, the exhibitions are phenomenal and I never tire of going over and over my favourite parts (Ceramics and Metalwork). I booked my train ticket for a few days later and then I Googled what else was on in London.

Imagine my surprise and glee when I found an exhibition called Narratives in Clay at County Hall Pottery! Talk about lucky! I added that to my itinerary and then decided I really should try to visit Contemporary Ceramics in Bloomsbury and see their exhibition of new associate members. Mark Dally is included and I love his work. I was lucky enough to have a demonstration by Mark when I was studying Ceramics at college a few years ago. I've followed him ever since and the exhibition was a great chance to see his work up front and personal again.

On the day, I set off from home at 6.00am and arrived in London at around 9.00am. I headed straight to the V&A, grabbing a tea whilst I waited for it to open. Notably, the only people in the queue alongside me were middle aged women. Interesting I thought.

I spent my time at the V&A taking pictures of anything that I felt was narrative and that I also enjoyed. I felt both were essential to my research. As time was of the essence for my hectic schedule, I took pictures of the information cards too, so that I could read them later at my leisure. Feeling utterly uplifted by my visit to the V&A, and promising to be back again soon, I headed off to my next port of call, County Hall Pottery.

I'd never visited the gallery before, nor even heard of it. It turned out to be near the South Bank and Waterloo Station. I was pleased to see that they offered a leaflet containing a bio and picutures of the work on display for each of the artists, which made for easy research . It also allowed me to simply enjoy the cermic art work exhibited without taking photos. I really enjoyed the exhibition and also the gallery and would recommend it.

My final desitination was Contemporary Ceramics in Bloomsbury. I was surprised when I got there that I'd been past it several times on previous trips to London and never even noticed it. This is testament to my dreadful observational skills rather than the gallery itself. Once inside, I immediately noticed Mark Dally's work at the front of the shop. It turned out that there was more than just the new associate members work on display, so I was treated to more than I had bargained for. I checked I was okay to take pictures and then set to work snapping anything and everything that I thought myself and my fellow students would appreciate. I then gathered the leaflets available to again read at a later date. It is also worth mentioning that the book shelves in Contemporary Ceramics were very informative too.

Feeling satisfied, smiley and uplifted, I headed back to the station for the train journey home. I intended to read up on what I had gathered at the galleries over the day, but I was so exhasusted and the train was so hot, I nodded off instead. All things considedered, it was a fantastic day that was very successful in terms of research for my immediate project and my long term aim for my masters. But, just to clarify, that doesn't mean I don't need to go back again...

The Death of Munrow, V&A

My Dad, V&A

Eight Plates from the Cook Service, V&A

Jasper Panel, V&A

Slip Cast Teapot, V&A

The Balloon Woman, V&A

Rascal With Golden Tears, V&A

Girl Baptised in Gold, V&A

Jemma Gowland, Contemporary Ceramics

Telephone, County Hall Pottery

Hiro Takahashi, Contemporary Ceramics

Mark Dally, Contemporary Ceramics