2021 AWARD WINNER | Staffordshire University
Posted on - 23rd August 2021
MEGAN KEELING
Staffordshire University | BA Hons Designer Maker
Describe your first encounter with clay?
I’ve worked with clay from a young age, however, the first encounter I can remember was age 12, when I hand built and glazed a mug. From then, I only really used clay again during sixth form when I became more experimental in my making by adding texture and oxides to ceramic disks which I then layered to create my final piece.
Why did you choose ceramics?
Following on from sixth form, I applied to the 3D Designer Maker course at Staffordshire University. In our first semester which involved making in ceramics, wood and metal, my favourite pieces I made were two textured ceramic pots. To create the texture, I added a pattern into the mould by hand which once cast revealed a protruding texture. I believe that this experimental and manipulative way of casting during my first semester is what confirmed to me that ceramics is something I wanted to pursue. Adding texture into moulds continued into my second semester, this time adding ribbed rubber to the mould. By second year my confidence in experimental casting had grown and I began adding natural materials into the mould before casting to see what textures I could make, this was the start of the creation of my 170 testers, each one with a unique texture or colour created during firing. These testers informed my final third year collection.
Where do you find inspiration? Places, people, objects, music...
I enjoy spending time outdoors and my main inspiration is sustainability. We live in a throw away world, and I’ve always been conscious of the effect my day to day activities have on the environment. This consciousness is what inspired me to add waste materials into my work, in a hope of preventing them from going to landfill, and to encourage people to learn to be more conscious of the waste they create when seeing my work in shops, galleries and in their own home, with my work acting as a talking point. The home environment isn’t somewhere you’d expect to learn about the repurposing of waste materials within interior products. However, any opportunity for education about sustainability is a great opportunity.
What are the tools of your trade that you can't do without?
I’m unsure if plaster moulds count as a tool, but to me they are the most important part of my trade! They’re made to make repeat items and by adding waste materials into them I make each cast unique.
What is a typical day in the studio like?
In the morning I like to make a list for the day ahead, without a list I just feel as though I’m not being productive or that I might forget something. From here, I go straight into casting, I like to cast early on so I’m not rushing the finish off my pieces towards the end of the day. Keeping note of each waste material I use, its casting time, slip used and firing temperature is vital as these testers inform future work. Throughout the day, one of the most important things to me is speaking to other creatives on my course, either bouncing ideas of each other or helping solve each other’s problems is one of my favourite things about studio life. At the end of the day, I like to tidy any mess away so that I’m ready and prepared for the next day.
What do the next 12 months have in store for you?
From September 2021, I will be an artist in residence at Staffordshire University. This will allow me to continue making and developing my skills. I’ve also been successful in getting a grant to buy a kiln so in the very near future I’ll be setting up a home studio and starting a business selling my products. Alongside my Potclays award, I also won the Valentine Clays award which gave me the opportunity to have a stand at Art in Clay Windsor in August. As I already had plans to start a business, this has solidified that and given me a kickstart into the world of craft fairs and exhibitions for which I’ve already started applying.
What advice do you have for those currently studying ceramics in further education?
My advice to anyone studying ceramics would be to be brave, I remember feeling scared at the thought of adding natural materials into my casts and now I’m confident enough to try putting anything into my casts and excited to see the outcome after firing.
