THE PORCELAIN PIECES OF:
BARBARA GITTINGS & ANNA BINGHAM
FINGERPRINTS OF THE ARTISTS.
Born in South Africa and based in Brighton, UK, ceramic artist Barbara Gittings specialises in Nerikomi techniques. Her work with ceramics began later in life, following a more than three-decade-long career in the fashion industry.
Artwork 5 Bowl | Barbara Gittings
Gittings work as a designer and pattern cutter definitely infiltrate her approach to clay as a material, and much of her work features strongly defined geometric patterns inlayed into the material itself, in many ways like those that can be found in textiles.
The work that Gittings has exhibited as part of the Cluster Crafts online exhibition and shop comprise a series of sculptural bottles and bowl.
“I have been making various bottle shapes since I began making. I enjoy pushing the shapes to the limit, how far can they lean without falling over,” says Gittings.
Bottle 43 | Barbara Gittings
Gittings work is made of porcelain, using different coloured clays to create patterns that are revealed in cross sections. She uses oxides and stains to colour the clay, and many of the pieces are finished with smoke firing or biscuit firing, that add extra depth to the finished items. The effect gives the work a lifelike quality, as if the patterns might be shifting like the surface of water. The pieces are finished with a wax coating.
“When I first started, I was rather obsessed with perfection, but I have come to realise that machine made things are perfect. Now I embrace chance and imperfection,” says Gittings.
Cube 2 | Barbara Gittings
Gittings’ ceramic pieces are part of her ongoing preoccupation with capturing nature, weathering and erosion in static objects.
“The geometry of patterns in nature is a constant source of inspiration to me. Especially as random chaotic forces, growth, weathering and erosion push the initial perfect symmetry towards imperfection,” explains Gittings. “I am always exploring this balance between symmetry and asymmetry in my work, trying to capture the imperfect perfection.”
Sculptural Bowl | Barbara Gittings
She endeavours to allow for the accidental in her process and to create work that embraces change. This, she believes, is how truly original work emerges. Gittings’ work stays true to soft, natural and earthy colours.
“I want anyone looking at the work to want to touch it and be drawn in,” explains Gittings. “My work is meditative, contemplative to make and hopefully this transfers to the viewing as well.
Cloud Bowl 1 | Anna Bingham
YOU CAN BUY BARBARA GITTINGS’ PIECES THROUGH OUR ONLINE SHOP
Artist Anna Bingham also works with ceramics, though – just like Gittings – Bingham’s exploration of ceramics is a second phase of her journey as an artist and maker: Bingham studied fine art before her work too her to clay.
“I work with clay because it is a good partner in the creative process, when I am constructing the pieces the materiality of it gives me ideas,” explains Bingham. “It is always thrilling to get pieces out of the kiln too; the alchemical aspect of the transformation in the firing will never get old!”
Bingham’s contribution to the Cluster online exhibition and shop includes pieces named The Cloud Bowls and Rust Vessels, both typical of the work she creates.
“The surfaces are layered and inspired by natural materials and the processes of corrosion and erosion over time. They are organic vessels for holding space; in and of themselves they are quiet, inviting contemplation and interaction with the viewer to examine them more closely.”
Could Bowl 2 | Anna Bingham
Untitled Large Grey | Anna Bingham
Bingham allows the oxides that she adds to create a final sense of spontaneity as the organic materials create effects that are not allows completely within the control of the artist. Materials are able to express a will of their own, and possible “imperfections” or unplanned changes in the work add an irreplaceable quality.
“I enjoy creating an encrusted surface, which reminds me of lichen,” she explains. “Or the lamination of corroded metal, other times I may burnish the surface so it is very smooth and cool to the touch.”
For Bingham, as for many of the Cluster artists, the fingerprints of the artist imprinted in the work is key to the uniqueness of each piece, an element of craft work that cannot be replicated by a machine.
Like Gittings, Bingham’s colours stay close to the original colours of the materials and to the colours of the earth itself.
“I use earth pigments, red iron oxide, the colour of rust, black the colour of charcoal, bright white like frost and grey like lead or an overcast sky.”
Thank you for reading,
Katie De Klee & Cluster Team.