Terracotta vase
This hand-built terracotta vase was inspired by the study of hand built ancient Egyptian and Mexican pottery. I make hand-built clay maquettes to explore and develop the form and shape of the initial idea.
Frieze vases
This group of three slip cast frieze vases were inspired by Staffordshire flat backs, made from the 1700’s onwards and became a form of local folk art depicted social figures and cultural trends of the time. Often the flatbacks were wall mounted. The modular frieze vases are designed to be either wall mounted or displayed in groups to bring greenery into peoples’ apartments.
The Sessile collection
The tableware collection for The Sessile, is a family of elegant, understated plates, bowls and cups. The Sessile is a design led residential project at Tottenham Hale for build-to-rent developer ‘Way of Life’.
The collection is thrown on the potter’s wheel. Designed to suit today's informal eating, this versatile range of tableware is well detailed, hand finished and has a natural feel. Its special visual quality lies in the contrast between the smooth texture of the unglazed and polished stoneware and the satin matt glaze in its pastel shades, designed to provide a subtle backdrop for food to be displayed and presented. The large plates can be used as under-plates when combined with small plates, sauce dishes, and bowls as part of the serving arrangement with three different sizes of coffee cups.
Bowls and Flare Vases
These large bowls and flare vases were manufactured using a industrial craft machine called the jigger-jolley. The bowls and vases were ‘jolleyed’ using templates to press the clay into rotating plaster moulds. The bowls and vases are made from stoneware and decorated with wax crayons and coloured glazes. Other vases are made from different multi-coloured layers of clay to form an Agateware effect, which is both decorative and functional.
Geometria vases
The collection of slip-cast vases is called ‘Geometria’ – derived from the Greek word ‘ge’ meaning earth and ‘metron’ meaning measurement – literally ‘earth measurement’. The collection is inspired by my interest in architecture, cities and sculpture. The vases are designed to be grouped in informal settings, like buildings in a city. Each vase is cast in a different colour using either terracotta or stained earthenware or porcelain.
Coupe Plates
Large diameter coupe plates look simple, however in reality they are challenging to manufacture. I have experimented with different industrial craft techniques for their production including slip casting and jiggering, an industrial technique. These 30 centimeter diameter coupe plates are slip cast in plaster moulds and decorated using a combination of decorative slip or casting slip. The plates can be cast in either earthenware, stoneware or porcelain.
‘Corona’
‘Corona’ is inspired by my study of the work of mid-century modern sculptors and designers, and particularly Barbara Hepworth. Bronze casting is the next natural next step for a ceramicist and many of the skills are transferable. This small bronze sculpture was created using the lost wax method, whereby a wax model is made in a silicone mould from a clay model, then the wax is burned out of the ceramic mould, ready for the molten bronze to be cast. It is an exhilarating process dating back thousands of years!
John Robertson Ceramics
I am a designer-maker with a background in architecture.
My ceramic practice focusses on using industrial craft techniques to make contemporary tableware. My designs and surface finishes are inspired by mid-century modern art and design and influenced by studying the evolution of modern tableware from its traditional craft base in the Arts and Crafts movement through to the transformational impact European designers, schooled in Bauhaus modernity, have had on its design.