This series of vessels draw inspiration from different mining works around Cornwall. What was once a bustling industry employing thousands, has now been left to ruin due to the falling tin and copper prices and competition from overseas.

 

This collection of vessels uses photographs that I have taken at different sites to create photo-transfers onto the clay, immortalising these buildings and preserving their histories. The slip decoration and the use of underglaze pencils feature words related to each site, typically using the names of the mines and the dates in which they opened and closed.

 

Similarly, the bold black sprayed elements that adorn each piece are made up of abstracted sections of words associated with the location too, creating a strong contrast against the bright backgrounds.

 

The colour palettes that I have used are reminiscent of the colours associated with the mines. The oranges hint at the bricked archways of the windows and doors of the engine houses, whilst the peach colour can be found in the main brickwork. The shades of green refer to the nature surrounding the structures, and the grey and blue colours reflect the stormy or clear skies that engulf the areas.

 

These vessels also feature a new glaze addition. Instead of my usual volcanic glaze, I have opted for a new recipe that creates earthy brown tones, reminiscent of the rich soil surrounding mining sites and the water that sits and flows through the underground tunnels.