Hands On

摘要

In the past ten years I have built a successful and creative business delivering clay workshops to individuals, the arts, education and business. I have a full diary of commitments and am constantly booked up six to nine months in advance - I just do not get the chance to make my own work anymore. Much of my teaching has been with young people, in particular, children with severe disabilities and learning difficulties. To my surprise, this has been an inspiration for my new work. For the past nine months I have spent one day a week at Beaufort Special School in Birmingham, sharing the benefits of clay with pupils and staff. Seeing how the children used the clay in such an unusual and experimental manner prompted me to want to try out some of their techniques in my own work. It was infuriating not to be able to find the time to do it.