björk haraldsdóttirForm and Pattern
15th - 17th September 2027 | 3 Day Workshop | £600
In this three-day workshop students will learn how to prepare slabs for hand building architectural forms. Björk will demonstrate how to prepare and work the slabs to achieve the desired form. Students will also explore how to make organic forms in the style of Björk’s collection of works and how to achieve the successful patterning of those forms.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWThe Course in Detail
In this three-day workshop students can expect to learn how to prepare slabs for hand building architectural forms. Björk will demonstrate how to prepare and work the slabs to achieve the desired form.
There will be demonstrations on how to make the more organic forms belonging to Björk´s collection of works and how to achieve the successful patterning of those forms.
There will be a day dedicated to exploring patterns and how to apply them to the forms which have been created.
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Please see our Student Contract for details.
Day 1: The course will begin with introductions and demonstrations from Björk, where she will show students how to hand build architectural forms using slabs. Students will be provided with pre rolled slabs to make their pieces from.
Students will then begin by rolling out slabs of stoneware clay for using the following day, and will look at how to create a form based on Björk’s mornings demonstrations.
Day 2: The morning will begin with a slip session - students will paint the pieces they made the previous day. Björk will also look at slip making and pigmentation with students.
The second part of the morning will be spent looking at slab built work based on more organic forms without losing the architectural quality of the work.
The afternoon will be spent making a second piece (or more pieces) based on the morning’s demonstrations. The students will use the slabs they rolled out the previous day.
The day will end with a second slip session where the students will finish off the work they have created by painting them in slip.
USEFUL INFOCourse Breakdown
Day 3: The final day will be all about pattern. The morning will be spent looking at various patterns and how to best apply them to the slipped work.
The day will then be spent creating and drawing patterns and/or pictures on to the slipped pieces using fine sgraffito techniques and tools.
There will be no specific kiln firing during the workshop, however, students’ pieces will be fired and be ready for collection a few weeks later. Alternatively, students are welcome to take away their greenware (students must bring protective packaging when taking or collecting their pieces).
Please note, there will be a small additional firing charge for final pieces. Details of our firing charges can be found in our Student Contract
Key information
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DATE
Wednesday 15th - Friday 17th September
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DURATION
3 day workshop
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CLASS SIZE
Maximum 10 students
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LEVEL
Suitable for those with some experience in slab building
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CLAY TYPE
Stoneware
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COST
£600 (Flexible payment plans)
GUEST POTTER BIOAbout Björk
Björk Haraldsdóttir was born in Iceland. She studied Architecture in Glasgow and graduated with a Master’s degree from the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art.
Björk worked as an Architect in London from 1992 to 2011, when she and her family moved to Dorset. Here Björk set up her ceramic studio.
Björk’s work is sculptural, built from stoneware clay slabs. It takes its influence from Architecture, which is her professional background, but also Norse craft and mythology and the natural environment.
At the core of the work is a conversation between three-dimensional form and two-dimensional pattern. Ambiguity is created by placing a rigid geometric pattern on an organic form, or vice versa, altering perception of the piece so sometimes they appear almost and subtly off kilter.
The patterns are meticulously drawn onto the surface of the work after careful coats of slip. The slip is then removed in part creating the contrasting monochrome pattern. The scrape marks are visible, and the surface is a plane of shallow relief, much like a tapestry. The tactile nature of these pieces is important – they invite touch, in the same way as a draped cloth might.
WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
Level
Intermediate / Advanced
This course is best for intermediate students with some knowledge of slab building.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECTThe Schedule
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Welcome Breakfast (from 9am - 10am). The session will start at 10am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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On the second day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 5pm. Students may continue to use the facilities until 7pm.
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On the third day the session will start at 9:30am and will finish at 4pm.
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A two course lunch is provided everyday. Please inform us of any special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Ceramic Studio is located on a beautiful orchard in Brenchley, and there are lots of lovely surrounding towns and villages offering numerous places to stay.
We are happy to arrange transits to and from your accommodation to the studio for the duration of your course. Please get in touch to arrange this. Please email the office team at info@theceramicstudio.co.uk. To see examples of local accommodation, click here.
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We do not offer a glazing service so cannot glaze your work for you. It may, however, be possible for you to return to the studio to glaze your work by booking a glazing session. Please speak to a member of staff to discuss this before booking. You are welcome to take greenware away with should you wish to. Alternatively you can take your bisque fired work away with you to glaze elsewhere.
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We will usually bisque fire a small selection of pieces following a workshop. Each Guest Potter Workshop is different, however, so please refer to your individual Guest Potter Workshop page for the firing information for your course.
The following firing charges will apply:
£5 per 500g for glazed work
£6 per 500g for glazed work with oxide
£10 per 500g for any glazed work over 30cm in height or width
£2 per 500g for work that is bisque fired but not glazed
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Yes! During this Guest Potter Workshop, you’ll be treated to a Welcome Breakfast on the first day, plus morning and afternoon refreshments daily, including teas, coffees, sweet treats, and fresh fruit. A freshly cooked two-course lunch, prepared here in the studio, is also provided every day, with dietary requirements confirmed in advance.
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If we haven’t quite answered your question please click here to view our guest potter FAQs page or email us info@theceramicstudio.co.uk