How to Make a Pot Like Grayson Perry | Tate

Summary

In this instructional video, Freya guides viewers through creating a coil pot inspired by artist Grayson Perry. She emphasizes the importance of design planning, demonstrating the coiling technique used in pottery for thousands of years. Freya details the materials needed, the shaping of the pot, and how to incorporate personal and autobiographical elements into the design. The process includes rolling coils, blending them into a cohesive structure, decorating with colored slips, and finishing with glazing. This engaging tutorial not only teaches pottery skills but also encourages self-expression through art.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Grayson Perry's pottery features autobiographical elements, exploring themes like identity and gender.
• 📜 Planning is crucial: sketch your design and create a template before starting your pot.
• 🧱 Use coil construction to build your pot, starting with thick coils for strength.
• 🔄 Blending coils is important to create a seamless structure; use tools like a Potter's thumb for smoothing.
• 🖌️ Decoration can include 3D elements (medulas) that represent personal stories or themes.
• 🌈 Apply layers of colored slips for depth and texture, reflecting your personality in your design.
• 🔥 Proper drying is essential; let the pot reach a leather-hard state before adding more coils.
• 📏 Consistency in thickness is key; use measuring guides when rolling out clay.
• 🏺 The bisque firing at 1,000 degrees prepares your pot for glazing by making it porous.
• ✨ The final glaze firing at 1,260 degrees gives the pot its glossy finish, making it ready for display.

Q & A

What is the significance of Grayson Perry's pottery style?

Grayson Perry's pottery combines classical forms with text-based and figurative designs, often reflecting autobiographical elements and exploring themes of identity, gender, sexuality, and social status.

What materials are needed to create a coil pot?

You will need tools like a metal kidney palette, potter's knife, letter stamps, a turntable, and various types of clay (earthenware or stoneware), along with slips, oxides, underglazes, and a kiln for firing.

Why is sketching the design important in pottery making?

Sketching helps plan the shape and surface design of the pot, ensuring that the creator has a clear vision before starting the construction.

What technique is used to ensure that the coils stick properly when building the pot?

The technique involves crosshatching the clay surface and applying water or slip to help the coils adhere securely to the base.

How should the coils be rolled for building the pot?

Coils should be rolled to a thickness similar to that of your finger or thumb, starting with thick coils for strength and gradually refining them as needed.

What is 'leather hard' clay and why is it important?

'Leather hard' clay is partially dried clay that is firm yet workable, allowing for additional coils to be added and shaped without deforming the structure.

What is the purpose of using slips and underglazes in decoration?

Slips and underglazes provide color and texture to the pot, allowing for artistic expression and enhancing the visual appeal of the design.

What are medulas and how are they used in the pot-making process?

Medulas are three-dimensional elements made from clay that are added to the surface of the pot for decorative purposes, often cut from illustrations or molds.

What is the bisque firing process?

Bisque firing is the first firing of the pottery, which occurs at around 1,000 degrees, to evaporate moisture and prepare the pot for glazing.

How does the final glaze firing affect the pot?

The final glaze firing, usually at a higher temperature (1260 degrees), melts the glaze to create a glossy finish and seals any pinholes in the pottery.