Pottery or ceramics both involve shaping and firing materials, but ceramics is a broader term encompassing any non-metallic, inorganic material permanently altered by heat.
Pottery specifically refers to clay-based functional vessels/containers which are usually made from clay.
The mud/clay could even come from your own garden if greatly refined (although that’s a lot of work to get it into a useable state!)
Pottery often refers to useful, practical & functional items that are glazed to make them non porous so that they are safe to use with food. Some (but not all) air dried clay can also be made food safe if sealed with a varnish or glaze.
Making pottery is an ancient practice, believed to be started in the Neolithic period (many thousands of years ago). Across the world different cultures have developed their own traditions and styles.
Viv starts her ceramic displayed work on the potters wheel as that is her happy place:
“ I call it ceramic but maybe it's pottery. Either way they are beautiful pieces to have in your home.”
Ceramics is a term often applied to non-metallic, inorganic, decorative items. The word ceramics is derived from the Greek word “ Keramos” meaning “potters clay” which includes the process of shaping and firing.
Clay to create a durable item is characterised as elements or a mix of metallic & non metallics with mostly relevant bonds. This means that diamonds are in fact ceramics as they are non-metallic but burn at 900 degrees C!
Ceramic refers to the art and science of creating objects primarily made of fired materials, this could even be brick, toilets, teeth or even joint replacements. Material used for ceramics should be ‘refractory’, becoming a rigid, strong, structure which will withstand high temperature without melting. Ceramicists have developed the use of ceramics throughout history, which means there are many ways of using and firing the clay.
Gillian recently joined Skylark Gallery:
“When people occasionally refer to me as a potter it makes me laugh out loud!…I couldn’t throw a pot to save my life. (well only a very wonky one..) I’m in awe of potters’ skills! As a sculptor, my technique is quite different. I start with a solid block of clay and carve away until the form emerges. Once the sculpture is ready I need to hollow it out if it’s going to be fired. All my ceramic pieces are unique, one-offs. It’s a very different approach. I’d definitely identify myself as a ceramicist, rather than a potter, but as I also use other materials such as resin, bronze, plaster and fabric I think the term sculptor probably suits me best.”
In Skylark Gallery we have a range of potters and ceramicists: we each have our own style, ways of making and finishes as you can see here:
Gillian Brett
