We are having a very interesting week hearing about the progress of a series of amazing sculptures being created here in the Potteries in a local quarry by a group of international artists using only red clay. This is part of the British Ceramics Biennial much more than a festival to celebrate all that is good about the ceramic industry that is still very much alive in Stoke on Trent. Because we hear all too often about the sad demise of the famous household names such as Wedgwood, Spode and Doulton it would be easy to think that Stoke has lost its place as as centre of excellence in the world of ceramics but this is not the case. There are more ceramic companies in Stoke than ever, its just that they are smaller businesses but the quality and originalty are all still here. Many of our guests from both home and abroad come to the area to visit the famous names and to buy pottery but they are much less interested when they discover that most of it is not made here in Stoke on Trent, but in the Far East.
However there is still much fine pottery and ceramics made locally, if you ask you will find them; Moorland pottery, Burleigh, Portmerion to name but a few. The British Ceramics Biennial is therefore a great idea to celebrate all that is still great, just a pity that the title is such a mouthful and also a bigger shame that it would appear very few local people even know about the event. I strongly urge you to look at their web site to find out more, whether you live here or are visiting the area.
Meanwhile back to our ceramic artists here at Graythwaite, Tbjorn Kvasbo, Alexandra Engelfriet and Pekka Paikkari. Each morning they leave very early, fuelled by a good English breakfast to do battle with not only 25 tons of red clay each, but also the delights of an English summer which is doing its very best to wash their hard work away, we await their return each day with interest to hear how it is all going. Because of the transient nature of their endeavours it is all being recorded on film. Will keep you posted.
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