We are thrilled to be adding a new pottery course at Coombe this year. We have long admired Adam’s work, clean simple but beautifully formed pieces thrown on the wheel in porcelain.
“I make clean, simple forms on the potters wheel that subtly show the makers hand in order to imbue a sense of life in the work. I enjoy the spontaneity of throwing, the speed of production and I seek to reflect this energy in my mark making. My marks are continually evolving, I am interested in contrasts; sharp lines, crayon scribbles, brush marks, sponged back sections. It is this ongoing investigation that invigorates my making.”
Adam Frew is a potter based in rural Northern Ireland. He works in porcelain, creating thrown functional and large one-off pots. During his studies at Belfast Art College, Adam spent time at the historic Winchcombe Pottery sparking a love for production pottery, and in Finland with Judy Makela. Upon graduating in 2004, he undertook a two year apprenticeship with Lisa Hammond at her Greenwich based pottery where he gained the experience and confidence to set out on his own. Adam moved back to Northern Ireland and was resident potter at Flowerfield Arts Centre for 12 years. He and his family moved to Aghadowey in Co.Derry with the intention of creating a larger studio space beside their home. Following a very successful crowdfunding campaign which part financed the renovation of an old barn, Adam now works and teaches from his own purpose built studio.
The emphasis of the week will be on using the potter’s wheel to make a variety of thrown porcelain vessels. Students will be guided through the basics of throwing porcelain and also turning (finishing) pots. Adam will demonstrate his various decoration techniques and students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach. There will be flexibility in the teaching allowing students to request specific demonstrations or help with a particular technique.
Thrown work will be decorated when dry before it is bisque fired, it will then be fired after the course and finished with a transparent glaze and couriered to you. The cost of porcelain and glazing and firing is included in the course fee. However, you will need to pay for the courier charges after the course. These will vary depending on where you live and the volume of work, average costs are approx £35.
MATERIALS LIST FOR THIS COURSE
If you have them, bring pottery tools, otherwise we will provide what you need including the clay, glazes etc.
