Digby Hoets: The Art of the Craft - Making Groups of Matching Pots скачать в хорошем качестве

Digby Hoets: The Art of the Craft - Making Groups of Matching Pots

I specialise in making groups of pots. The pot I am making here was one of a commission for 8 large black pots and its final dimensions were 70cm by 68cm. When I'm making a big pot like this I leave it on my wheel for time it takes to complete. Each day, when the pot has hardened sufficiently, I add a fresh coil. This pot has six sections and took six days to complete. Once it is completed I remove it from the wheel. Each kiln takes around 12 pots and I take around four to five weeks to make the pots. In the final week, when the pots are dry enough I glaze them and load them onto my trolley kiln. If a pot is particularly large I use a hoist to manoeuvre it into position. I fire using a clean-burning fuel which is propelled through the four burners by an electric fan. Firing takes around 10 hours and uses around 350 litres of fuel. The kiln takes 3-4 days to cool down sufficiently to unpack the pots. I keep detailed records of each pot: dimensions at each stage as well as amount of clay used. This enables me to replicate pots I have made previously and to make groups of 'matched' pots. I have realised that you only develop your skills and sensitivity as a potter by making the same object over and over again. I’m often asked how long it takes to make one of my big pots? My answer: “Fifty years and one week!” Each pot is a learning experience from which I continually receive feedback on what works in terms of form and harmony. I am very sensitive to the shape and balance of my pots.