Ceramics Studio

" The Ceramics studio has an international atmosphere. Students from around the world are encouraged to master both traditional and emerging ceramic techniques and to develop their work in relation to contemporary visual art practice.”

Practice and Aims of the Studio

Ceramics explores traditional clay techniques, production design and emerging ceramic concepts and technologies.

The Ceramics studio embraces a wide range of approaches which lead to various career development opportunities for students who wish to work with clay as a medium. Students interested in becoming exhibiting artists may wish to take a conceptual approach, developing sculptural and installation work. Whereas students wanting to become designer/makers of one-off or production work or work for architectural spaces are encouraged to develop their design skills, including the use of CAD/CAM as well as more traditional production skills such as throwing, mould making and casting.

The studio seeks to develop individual expression within the medium (or across various media) and to challenge the student to explore and expand her/his understanding of contemporary cultural and historical issues.

The development of a comprehensive set of skills and knowledge base of the ceramics medium is seen as essential, as this becomes the basis for a successful outcome. This includes use of kilns, various construction techniques, and surface development technologies including the use of commercial materials and design of glazes.
Studies in Ceramics are largely hands-on giving students the opportunity to develop a personal visual vocabulary through explorations of concept and form. Tuition covers a wide range of techniques including hand-building, throwing, slip casting, mould making, surface technologies and firing.

Studio Facilities

Study in Ceramics is supported by a throwing studio, slip casting studio, plaster mould making workshop, glaze and surface development area and kiln rooms.