Previous AA2A Artist

Natalia Kasprzycka

Year:
2022-23
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent
Social link:
Project summary:

As an artist with a craft background, I'm interested in how a traditional craft practice can be reframed within a contemporary context, its intrinsic and intimate understanding of material and skill used to empower through knowledge and skill-sharing rather than producing high-end objects. In my own work, I employ a potter's skillset to investigate the idea of 'place' through material constituents of site. Working with found materials of natural origins like clays, rocks and ash as well as by-products of human industry, like slags and mining waste, I aim to create space for an engaging conversation about the past, present and future of sites using the visual language of ceramics. In recent years, my practice has broadened to include elements of print and foraging in my site investigations.

During my time on the AA2A scheme I will be using the wonderful ceramics facilities at Loughborough University to develop a portable toolkit for site investigation, including a compact experimental kiln. The aims of the toolkit are to identify on-site materials which could be used for ceramics, their subsequent preparation and firing, all in one place. It could be brought into any environment, rural or urban, and although it can be used by a single person, it works at its best when operated by a team sharing tasks and labour. No prior ceramics experience is required to take part in the process.

 

As an artist with a craft background, I'm interested in how a traditional craft practice can be reframed within a contemporary context, its intrinsic and intimate understanding of material and skill used to empower through knowledge and skill-sharing rather than producing high-end objects. In my own work, I employ a potter's skillset to investigate the idea of 'place' through material constituents of site. Working with found materials of natural origins like clays, rocks and ash as well as by-products of human industry, like slags and mining waste, I aim to create space for an engaging conversation about the past, present and future of sites using the visual language of ceramics. In recent years, my practice has broadened to include elements of print and foraging in my site investigations.

During my time on the AA2A scheme I will be using the wonderful ceramics facilities at Loughborough University to develop a portable toolkit for site investigation, including a compact experimental kiln. The aims of the toolkit are to identify on-site materials which could be used for ceramics, their subsequent preparation and firing, all in one place. It could be brought into any environment, rural or urban, and although it can be used by a single person, it works at its best when operated by a team sharing tasks and labour. No prior ceramics experience is required to take part in the process.

 

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