2023 AWARD WINNER | Staffordshire University

MATT WHITING Staffordshire University | BA(Hons) Designer Maker

Recipient of the Potclays Graduate Award in 2023 as part of our Educlaytion programme

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Tell us about yourself, your work, and your career path so far.
I am an artist/designer/maker who went back into education after some time away. I studied an art and design foundation degree which was the first place I was able to interact with ceramic as a material, I was immediately hooked! This led to studying at Staff Uni as Stoke on Trent seemed the obvious choice for ceramics. My current work in thrown on the wheel. I really enjoy the freedom this gives when playing with form. I try and be playful in my approach to ceramics and inject fun wherever possible. Glazing is also another passion of mine. Over the last year of study, I’ve thrown myself into mixing glazes and experimenting with colour. Specifically working on maintaining brighter colours at high stoneware temperatures. 

Describe your first encounter with clay?
I grew up obsessed with plasticine. The tactility was just something I really enjoyed. With it I’d sculpt figurines from all manner of cartoons. This developed into sculpting figures for cakes – all of this became the groundwork for when I got my hands on ‘real’ clay. It felt so familiar as a material despite being a whole new discipline to learn. 

Why did you choose ceramics?
I fell in love with the tactility and versatility ceramics offers. It’s a great medium for working across design and fine art, which is ideal for me as someone who spans across both fields. I also really love the oftentimes unpredictability of ceramics and the need to test and trial things. There are always so many different things you can do with ceramics and so many results you can achieve with the slightest change, and I find that really exciting.

Where do you find inspiration? Places, people, objects, music…
I get my inspiration from everywhere, sometimes without even realising it until after it’s been made. For my current work I’ve been introducing functional adornments to purely sculptural forms. Spout, handles, and legs that serve no other purpose than decoration. I think we often think of ceramics as function objects we use every day and I’ve enjoyed subverting that with purely decorative sculptures. This imaginary functionality has element reminiscent of historical ceramics with has filtered through from my research on the subject. 

What are the tools of your trade that you can't do without?
It sounds cliché but hands are always my immediate go to for working with clay. I just love the immediacy of your hands shaping and manipulating the clay. It’s also quite a grounding material so the sense of touch is really enjoyable. In terms of physical tools and good metal kidney is a super versatile tool I rely on heavily. It has so many uses and is always a go to for when my hands wont do.

What is a typical day in the studio like?
After a brew, I usually start by prepping my clay. I’ve had it drilled into me to prep all my clay by wedging/kneading so it’s ready for the wheel. It also helps to get into the mindset for throwing. Then it’s over to the wheel. I like to have a rough idea in mind, but a lot of my throwing is responding intuitively to the material. As it’s still relatively early days for me as a thrower, I’m always working of going bigger and more complex. I try to push myself with at least one throwing challenge whenever I’m at the wheel in the hopes of improving skill.

What do the next 12 months have in store for you?
After exhibiting at New Designers in July I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of the new graduate exhibition at the BCB this autumn.
I work at The Clayrooms a ceramic studio in Ashbourne, I was lucky enough to get a job there which I could do alongside my final year at uni. I learnt how much I enjoy teaching and sharing the things I’ve learnt. Once I graduate, I will be doing more teaching there and working on making ceramics more accessible. Alongside this, I hope to be working on my own practice improving my skills and making whenever possible.

What advice do you have for those currently studying ceramics in further education?
Have fun with it. Ceramics can (and will) go wrong at any time which can be frustrating when adhering to deadline, but just embrace mistakes and be keen to learn what you can from them for next time. It’s so much to learn in a short space of time so there’s so much opportunity for learning. Also start testing glazes much sooner than you think you need to!