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Geological Map Project

10/4/2016

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Back in September of last year I was approached by members of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society (YPS) who were working with the York Museums Trust on a joint initiative to install a walk-on geological map in Museum Gardens, York. The map represented the Yorkshire section of William Smith's 1815 map (the first ever geological map of a whole country) in the form of a visually-stunning 4m x 4m pebble mosaic. As part on the project they were looking for an innovative way to display the different types of clays involved. 
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William Smith & Geological Map of Northern England
After some initial discussions, it was decided that I would make a map of Yorkshire, showing the north-south central strip of Triassic clay (Red Marl).

I prepared samples of the clay and produced several test tiles. Interestingly, although the clay was a dark earthy buff in its raw state, it fired red.


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Over the following weeks I produced several versions of the clay map, showing different geological features. (Differences in colour due to drying and lighting...)
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​The bisque firing was successful, however several attempts at the glaze firing proved more problematic...... although the clay was lovely to work with, it wouldn't have been my first choice for this type and scale of project. The shrinkage on the clay was magnified by the large size of the map and its requirement to be fired in one piece.

However, after discussions with the YPS team it was decided that the "mosaic" quality of the piece would fit in well with the overall theme of the pebble mosaic map. 

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Mosaic Pebble Map in the Museum Gardens, York
A second sample of clay (boulder clay) provided a further challenge as it contained many stones of different sizes and types. To prepare this clay it had to be dispersed in water, and then the stones sieved out. I was then able to create a large shallow bowl from the sieved clay, which has fired to a rich chocolate brown. The sieved residue, an interesting range of stones, will be set in resin in the bowl when it is displayed along with the map in the Museum Gardens in York.
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Unfired Boulder Clay Bowl
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After bisque firing
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Completed boulder clay bowl with clear glaze
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THE JOURNAL

2/3/2016

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Earlier in the year I was invited to contribute to the Secret Life feature in the East Riding of Yorkshire's Journal magazine.
It was an interesting article and certainly made me think.
Last month a phographer came over to the studio to take some photos for the article.

...........and here I am in the March edition of The Journal. 

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INTERVIEW WITH BBC RADIO HUMBERSIDE

18/1/2016

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Last week, Sally Fairfax and Carl Wheatley from BBC Radio Humberside's Breakfast Program came over to the studio as part of their "Try Something New" feature.
They had a go at wheel throwing and produced some very nice pots.
This morning I gave a little live interview and chatted about their pottery experience and the pottery workshops and parties I run at the studio.
Thank you guys for coming over and having so much fun.
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Layers of Meaning Exhibition

13/9/2015

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An exhibition of work by members of the East Riding Artists (ERA) entitled Layers of Meaning is currently being held at the Triton Gallery, Sledmere House, East Yorkshire.
Work is in many mediums but all takes its inspiration from the archaeology and history of the Wolds and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
I have 3 pieces in the exhibition.
Two replica Torksey Ware jugs.
Jugs such as these would have been used during the 10th century to store a variety of liquids, their handles allowing them to be suspended from roof beams out of the way of vermin etc. and allowing evaporation through their unglazed surfaces to keep the contents cool.
I have simply smoke fired to the first to replicate the smoke blackened appearance of an original and the other is glazed in blue and white to echo the blue and white china (Willow pattern?) that was found in many farm houses across the Wolds..
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My third piece is entitled Social Trauma and is a hand coiled vessel in a generic Dark Age style pierced by an arrow shot from a long bow - Society needs stability to flourish, war and conflict harm that stability. The arrow piercing the ceramic pot harms the fabric of the vessel and its ability to function as intended. Communities have lived on the Wolds for generations, through periods of stability and periods of conflict.


The exhibition runs until Sunday 20th September 2015.
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Jorvik Medieval Festival at Selby Abbey 

13/9/2015

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The finished piece produced by clients from Kingfisher Place was displayed at Selby Abbey as part of the Jorvik Medieval Festival.
I also ran "have-a-go" pottery workshops for visitors to the festival - a really great day and wonderful project.
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    Lee Steele

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Lee Steele
The Potter Man Studio
Unit 1A, Holme Industrial Estate
Skiff Lane,
Holme-on-Spalding Moor
East Yorkshire,
YO43 4BB

​Tel: 01430 861176
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