Pottery work in Shepherd Market 作陶生活その後

 

The development of my challenge to replace all tableware at Umu with my own works of ceramic, although has almost been a year since started, is still far from completion.
 
During the long, miserable winter in London, I spent most weekends facing potter's wheel, moreover I found myself doing the same during the weeks whenever time suited. Nonetheless the hardship of progressing the ceramic-making parallel to providing service at the restaurant cannot yet be triumphed.
 
However, the gradual rise in number of supporters has been definitely allowing the challenge to move forward.　
 
"Kabuto-bachi", a thick porcelain bowl I am focusing on at the moment, specially for tofu and lobster dish preparation, has wider opening rim than those I used to work on. I cannot deny the struggle in experimenting with the new style, yet few are already becoming in shape.
 
The stage of unglazed kilning has completed, thanks to Ms Midori Aoshima of M Ceramics. The following step of mixing glazes, combining with familiarising with a new kiln, is still requiring number of trials, but prototypes are expected to be finalised shortly. Needless to say, I am very eagerly awaiting to meet them.
 
Together with Ms Midori, I have visited London Ceramic Art Show not long ago. Familiar faces from previous year's show filled the venue, but inspiring nature was still present all the same. In addition, I enjoyed the new discoveries which I only could acquire with the experience I gained through touching British clay with my own hands.

 

UMUで使う食器を全て私の手作りの陶器に変えようというチャレンジは1年が過ぎようという今でも僅かな物しか完成していません。

天気の悪いロンドンの冬の間、ほとんどの週末はロクロの前に座り続けました。週の半ばでも時間さえあれば少しずつ続けていましたが、日常のレストランの営業を続けながらそれをやるのはなかなか困難です。

それでも周りで手助けをしてくれるひとが増えてきて、少しずつ進んでいます。

今は豆腐とロブスターを盛り付けるための兜鉢を作っています。今までの中では口径の大きな鉢なので苦戦していますが、なんとか数が出来そうです。 

M ceramic の青島みどりさんが素焼きをしてくれ、次のステップとしての釉薬の調合と新しい窯で試行錯誤しています。もうすぐテストピースが出来てくるそうでとても楽しみです。

先日ロンドンセラミックアートショーがあり、みどりさんと行ってきました。昨年とほとんど同じ顔ぶれでしたが、自分がイギリスの土をいじっているから分かるような新たな発見もあり、刺激を受けてきました。