Manchester Art Gallery Shop
Within the initial week to Unit X, I have been concluding my collaboration with the Manchester Art Gallery Shop. Between November 2021- March 2022, my Ceramic Magdalenenburg pieces were on sale in the shop alongside the Bellotto: Views on a Fortress exhibition. Upon completion of the exhibition, I wrote and sent an invoice to the gallery, in addition to collecting the remaining pieces.
I found the experience working with the shop to be beneficial as I was able to develop my confidence in costing, communication and merchandising.
Open Call Submission
Indomitus: The Pavement Series, 2022, Black Porcelain Slip, h. 6 x w. 8 x d. 8 cm (each object), Set of 10
Despite being unsuccessful with my submission for 'The Wild Collective,' I still gained experience in applying to an open call, and would feel more confident in future reaching out to galleries. After speaking to Claire Pearce in person, I was able to gain a further insight into what gallerys would be inclined to exhibit, and gained a further understanding on the pricing of my work.
Jerwood Somerset House Studios Residency Submission
I applied for the Jerwood Somerset House Studios Residency, proposing to continue the Pavement Series, however capturing new landscapes on various scales. I am currently waiting to hear back.
Steelite International: Interview and Factory Tour
I had an interview and tour of the cup shop at Steelite International. It was particularly eye-opening observing ceramics being made on a scale of mass-production. The workers relied heavily on machinery, and there was a very quick turn around of products.
Following the interview I was offered a position as a cup shop operative. Although the job was within the field of ceramics, I felt it was too dissimilar to my personal goals of bespoke, exhibited pieces.
Vertical Gallery
Alongside my submission pieces I created scaled up versions for the Vertical Gallery. Engaging in the Vertical Gallery has been both exciting and challenging. I initially thought working on a larger scale would be the same process but bigger outcome. However, I faced many challenges. The biggest was manageability, on a few occassions I had to rely on other people to carry the weight of the mould. If I were scale up in the future, I would take this into account.
I found the Vertical Gallery has assissted in developing my confidence in costing, pricing, scaling up and working on multiple projects at once.
Future Submissions
When applications are open to exhibitors, I will be applying for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair and The British Ceramics Biennial.
