Ceramic

Weird Phone Support

2019 Clay, Glaze

Ceramic is my favorite material in the first semester. I enjoyed seeing how the 2D sketches turn into 3D objects. This workshop ended fast and we all rushed to make pieces due to the process of ceramic making: we have to leave enough time waiting the clay dry.

After the sculpture I made in the first day broken, I designed small phone supporters afterwards. I found my self really drown to product design, which combine the sculptural aesthetic and utility together. These ceramics are full of whimsy and humor.

fig.12.1-4 On the first class, after tutorial, I used clay to build the “banana pants” which comes from my previous sketchbook.

After 2 nights, when I came back to it, it broken as soon as I lifted it up -- the weight is too heavy for the weak joint. So I changed my mind instantly, I decided to make three phone supporters in small scale.

fig.13.1-7 These are the process images of phone supporters. First, I built the sculpture using clay. After they were dry, I painted underglaze on them for the first fire. Then I drew color on the ceramics and brushed with clear glaze. The final step is the second fire!

fig.14.1-2 “Sexy Butt” supporter.

fig.15.1-2 “Elephant with Two Trunks” supporter

fig.16.1-2 “Long Braid” supporter

fig.17 Painting on a given vessel.

I was surprised by the final version of these ceramics. The shiny glaze highered the quality of ceramics immediately. Although the color seemed darker than the underglaze pigments before firing, the texture of the meat looked closer to the real one.

The most charming thing about ceramic is the uncertainty. You never know what the final look will be. All the experience and tricks hiding in the repetition of training. I will dedfinitely make ceramics again in the future.