Jasper and the Potter

Potter Kathryn Hearn describes her exploration of colored layers in her work. She became obsessed with this making process, and it has now become inextricably linked to her visual language. As a student, she began to create colored layers of slip in a mold and to emphasize feet and rims, which was rather unusual in the 1970s. She called the process strata casting, and she has used it in white earthenware, porcelain, terracotta, and most recently Wedgewood's Jasper body. She has developed a working relationship with Josiah Wedgewood & Sons, and the company commissions work from her on an ongoing basis. Technical notes are also provided.

Kathryn Hearn

Research Interests

Development and production of limited edition ceramic decorative vessels, use of moulds in a more fluid state, specifically sand casting, working with Jasper clay in collaboration with Wedgwood

Current Research

During the last 5 years my research work has included the development and production of unique and limited edition ceramic decorative vessels. They fall into three categories: Long term development of working with cast porcelain, using a range of colours in combination to produce pots for exhibition. This work is a celebration of the material, is informed by the techniques and processes and also by the natural and built environment; The use of moulds in a more fluid state, specifically sand casting, which is usually a metal casting process but adapting it into a ceramic context enabled me to produce larger and one off pieces; The collaboration with Wedgwood which has involved working with the Jasper clay body in both small and large scale. The research has also provided me with an opportunity to challenge the notion of Jasper as a decorative medium in a more contemporary idiom. I have completed work for their Prestige range. The use of ceramic bodies, in colours and qualities to explore form and surface in decorative ceramics. Chiefly using porcelain but also other ceramic bodies that have intrinsic individual qualities that are able retain identity when being manipulated. This exploration is often undertaken in collaboration with the production industries in order to challenge convention of expected norms in aesthetic, production and context.