Project 3D Outcomes Progress

In this post I will talk about my progress on the 3D outcomes for my major project this term.

In my design experimentation post I talked about wanting to include shelf fungi into my 3D outcomes, so I tried to create a piece with it. I started by using the slab technique to create my base. I rolled out two pieces of clay, one for the bottom and one for the sides. Using a pottery knife, I cut the pieces into the correct size for the base. I made this piece quite large, since all my other pieces are small.

I then started cutting out and shaping the shelf fungi with my hands using the leftover clay while I left the base pieces to dry, since they need to be 'leather hard' to be formed into a mug. I used a kidney to smooth out the clay slabs.

After this, I started shaping the mug using the two base pieces that I left to dry earlier. I cut them uneven on purpose, to mimic the tree shape. However, I cut the sides too uneven for the ends to fit together properly, so I had to go back in and cut the edges slightly more.

Before I started attaching the shelf fungi, I made a handle using more of the leftover clay. It was not dry enough when I attached it, so I had to reshape it later to make holding the mug more comfortable. I used the crosshatching tool to create hatched on the handle and mug to attach it with clay slip. I smoothed out the rough edges using a damp sponge and my fingers.

I carved in the tree bark textures using a curved cutting tool while waiting for the shelf fungi pieces to dry out more so their shape would not change during the assembling process. When all the pieces were dry enough, but not completely dried out, I started attaching the shelf fungi. I realised here that I would not be able to cover the full mug with shelf fungi as it would not look good and be uncomfortable while using the mug. Instead, I tried to attach the pieces in a way that it would look similar to how they grow on trees. I used the hatching technique and clay slip to attach the pieces.

After attaching the shelf fungi, I waited for the slip to dry before painting the shelf fungi with a yellow-white clay slip. I used thin layers, because a thick layer of slip could crack during the firing process. I added a thin layer of green slip on the inside of the mug to add a pop of colour to the piece. At this point I reshaped the handle of the mug as well.

I am quite satisfied with how this turned out, even though it was not how I designed it initially. Painting the shelf fungi was challenging and took a lot of time to do it properly without touching the base. I am curious to see how this piece comes out of the kiln after firing it.