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.

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..

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.

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.