So it's a new year, a new decade and time for some well earned self reflection. I guess 22 years in to this career, you could call recent times challenging. I've reached a mid point where for once, I'm not sure quite where I'm going or why I'm doing it.
Personally and financially I find it problematic to attend as many ceramics fairs as I'd like to, the cost of exhibiting is prohibitive, the competition gets tougher and tougher- there are so many talented potters out there! It's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario....Gallery owners need to see your work in real context rather than online, cold calling rarely works....so it feels a bit like like exhibiting opportunities are growing fewer and fewer in recent times.
Another factor is probably changing times and design trends. My work is part sculpture...informed by function but not necessarily all about function! (Yes that old curates egg- sorry to keep on harking back to chickens...) I would say- and with good reason - that craft skills and functionalism are back on the agenda and perhaps with good reason. In this day and age, do you really have space in your house for anything non functional, unuseable,,,,and expensive! It seems positively wasteful....Trends change and you either follow them, but in my case I know it's folly to try and chase them, It's not my bag- and I have to continue to plough a lonely furrow.....or it could just be I need a new focus, impetus and inspiration and stop worrying!
Whatever the reasons for this mid career slowdown I will continue to explore work in Raku and I have enjoyed developing new textural chawan and yunomi style vessels . I want to pursue larger sculptural forms. I want to make my Opus! I will still exhibit at my regular galleries in Southwold and at Builth in Wales, the art and craft markets locally in #Colchester- #Firstsite and #theminories....and of course online with #Handmadeinbritain and #Artintheheart.
I hope to continue showing you progress as my journey with clay continues....
Personally and financially I find it problematic to attend as many ceramics fairs as I'd like to, the cost of exhibiting is prohibitive, the competition gets tougher and tougher- there are so many talented potters out there! It's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario....Gallery owners need to see your work in real context rather than online, cold calling rarely works....so it feels a bit like like exhibiting opportunities are growing fewer and fewer in recent times.
Another factor is probably changing times and design trends. My work is part sculpture...informed by function but not necessarily all about function! (Yes that old curates egg- sorry to keep on harking back to chickens...) I would say- and with good reason - that craft skills and functionalism are back on the agenda and perhaps with good reason. In this day and age, do you really have space in your house for anything non functional, unuseable,,,,and expensive! It seems positively wasteful....Trends change and you either follow them, but in my case I know it's folly to try and chase them, It's not my bag- and I have to continue to plough a lonely furrow.....or it could just be I need a new focus, impetus and inspiration and stop worrying!
Whatever the reasons for this mid career slowdown I will continue to explore work in Raku and I have enjoyed developing new textural chawan and yunomi style vessels . I want to pursue larger sculptural forms. I want to make my Opus! I will still exhibit at my regular galleries in Southwold and at Builth in Wales, the art and craft markets locally in #Colchester- #Firstsite and #theminories....and of course online with #Handmadeinbritain and #Artintheheart.
I hope to continue showing you progress as my journey with clay continues....
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