Do you have a favourite clay?
My preferred clay is stoneware with an addition of 20 percent molochite, which makes it more resistant to warping and cracking – it is well suited to hand building. I do not sketch, preferring instead to work directly with 3-D shapes, which helps me to grasp its real proportions.
Can you describe your working process?
I start by stacking, in different combinations, any shape I have at my disposal to determine the appearance of my final object: bowls, buckets, casseroles, and spoons are used as press moulds. Once the clay is at the right consistency, I start to build my piece by assembling the chosen shapes.
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What happens when the main form is complete?
I begin to reshape it by altering its structure. To my eyes this object becomes an architectural composition where concave and convex volumes interact with each other. I alter its shape by cutting its walls and by inserting additional volumes a new object resurfaces, charged with an intricate interplay of masses and volumes.
What does well made mean to you?
It means mastering your techniques at every stage of the creative process, and should be reflected in the final piece. I am extremely exigent and ruthless with my work. If I see imperfections that bother me, I will discard the piece, even if it has taken me countless hours to create. I consider this act as mental hygiene, that liberates your mind and helps me to start afresh.