After presenting my drawings for the self-initiated project, Dave suggested I research the artist James Tower, as some of my forms were similar in shape to his. There was a book in the library by Wilcox, which I borrowed, and several articles online. There are two sculptures in the archive of the Harris Museum and Gallery, and I have arranged with the curator to go and have a look at them.
Tower made sculptural forms and bowls, using press-moulded slabs. He sometimes carved into the slabs to create texture. He usually used a palette of black and white earthenware glazes, although occasionally he used blues, greens and red. He used the glazes as if they were paint, layering them and using resists, slip trailers and sgraffito to make patterns, He was inspired by fish, water, trees and leaves.
I like the simple forms that Tower used, and the fact that the opening of the vessel is usually on the side and does not distort the overall shape. Perhaps I could use this on my plaster form, as the opening is currently causing some debate. I also like the limited colour palette, the quiet and calmness of the black and white. I am not sure about using earthenware, as it would not make the resulting vessels watertight. However I mixed up a white and a black earthenware glaze for testing. The black uses a stain, and is appearing slightly blue, but is not unpleasant. I will try the glazes on larger pieces, as well as mixing up some stoneware versions. I like the expressive way Tower applies the glazes and inscribes the forms, this brings life to them, and shows his background in painting. Perhaps I have dismissed glazes too readily, there are options for glaze application and mixing, that mean I could get exactly the effects I want. More research and experimentation with glazes is required.
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