Ceramic Review: Masterclass with Stephen Murfitt

Summary

Stephen Murphy, a potter and ceramicist, shares his journey with clay, emphasizing the tactile nature of the material and the creative process behind his work. Influenced by early experiences with art teachers and museum visits, Murphy explores the infinite possibilities of ceramic forms, focusing on coiling as a slow, methodical technique. He integrates textures into the making process, drawing inspiration from nature and personal collections. His work blends form and texture, often involving complex firing techniques like raku to achieve unique surface effects. His approach highlights the ongoing evolution of ideas and the tactile relationship with clay.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stephen Murphy is a ceramicist who specializes in pottery, focusing on coiling techniques to create forms and textures in clay.
• 😀 Murphy was inspired by his art teacher and visits to the Fitzwilliam Museum and Cattles Yard, where he first saw works by potters like Bernard Leach and Lucie Rie.
• 😀 His approach to pottery emphasizes the integration of texture into the form itself, rather than simply decorating a finished piece.
• 😀 Murphy finds inspiration for his work from the natural environment, particularly from visual elements like tree stumps and fragments collected from beaches and riverbeds.
• 😀 He uses sketchbooks and photography to document textures and forms, which later influence his ceramic designs.
• 😀 Murphy often uses the technique of printing textures into clay, pressing objects like shells and fragments to create intricate surface designs.
• 😀 The process of layering, scraping, burnishing, and scouring is essential to achieving his desired textures, and he focuses on knowing when enough detail has been added.
• 😀 His pottery undergoes a two-stage firing process, first being bisque fired in an electric kiln, followed by a lustre glaze application if needed.
• 😀 The final firing process involves a raku method, where the pieces are removed from the kiln while red-hot and placed in a sealed container with wood shavings to reduce oxygen, creating metallic effects in the glaze.
• 😀 Murphy's work blends the tactile qualities of clay with the form itself, striving for a balance of texture and shape that engages both the hands and the eyes.

Q & A

What inspired Stephen Murphy to become a ceramicist?

Stephen Murphy was inspired to become a ceramicist by an art teacher at school who introduced him to pottery. His teacher took him to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and to Cattles Yard, where he first saw the work of potters like Bernard Leach and Lucie Rie, which had a significant impact on him.

How does Stephen describe his approach to creating pottery?

Stephen describes his approach as focusing on coiling, a slow and methodical process that allows for modifications and alterations during the creation of the piece. He aims to merge the surface textures of the pot into the form, making texture an integral part of the making process rather than a separate decorative element.

What role does texture play in Stephen's pottery?

Texture plays a crucial role in Stephen's pottery, as it is not just added decoration but an integral part of the making process. He emphasizes creating textures that evolve during the creation of the piece, adding depth and character to the pot.

Where does Stephen get his ideas for his pottery designs?

Stephen gathers inspiration from his environment, whether built or natural. He uses a sketchbook and takes photographs of things he finds interesting, such as tree stumps or fragments of shells, and incorporates these visual elements into his work over time.

Can you give an example of how Stephen incorporates nature into his work?

One example is a tree stump near Wicken Fen that Stephen has observed as it weathered over time. The textures and forms of the stump have influenced his pottery, with its weathered roots and surface features inspiring some of his designs.

What materials does Stephen use to create textures on his pottery?

Stephen collects fragments from nature, such as shells and riverbed stones, which he presses into the clay to create textures. These natural materials help create interesting surface patterns and textures on his pottery.

What is the process of 'printing' into clay, as used by Stephen?

Printing into clay involves pressing materials like shells or other textured objects into the clay to create negative shapes. These impressions create recesses that glaze can melt into, forming unique textures and details on the surface.

How does Stephen achieve different glaze effects on his pottery?

Stephen achieves various glaze effects by brushing on an undercoat of glaze, then spraying a thin coat of luster glaze for specific effects. The brush marks often come through the top glaze, creating texture variations and adding depth to the surface.

What is the significance of Raku firing in Stephen's pottery process?

Raku firing is significant because it involves removing the pottery from the kiln while it is red-hot and placing it in a container with materials like wood shavings and sawdust. This reduces oxygen, causing certain metals in the glaze to revert to their metallic state and create distinctive crackles and textures on the surface of the pot.

What does Stephen mean when he says the combination of tactile and textural elements is important in his work?

Stephen believes that the tactile nature of clay, combined with the textural elements he creates during the making process, is what makes his pottery unique. The form and texture work together, allowing the viewer to appreciate both the feel and visual characteristics of the pottery.