22 Hands: British Ceramics Biennial Commission

We are delighted to announce a major new commission from the British Ceramics Biennial. Invited by the British Ceramics Biennial 2019, Clayground’s Duncan Hooson with Stephanie Buttle are collaborating with sound artist Tim Gray and other performance artists to create 22 Hands, an immersive performative workspace at the World of Wedgwood.

The commission reflects on the work of artist Glenys Barton, who in the 1970s, was Wedgwood artist-in-residence. She created figurative and sculptural pieces intended to complement general factory production with their pure artistry. Barton was Laban dance trained and has been interested in the figure throughout her long career.

Referencing her repeated quiet solitary figures, circular shapes, staircase steps, layered boards and images of movement as starting points and staging props, 22 Hands expands Barton’s vision through the creation of three theatrical sets that will be animated throughout the festival.

The title 22 Hands refers to the number of people that are said to handle a form during its factory production process.

For several days each week during the BCB Festival the artists will be present, enacting their creative process in the theatre space. Duncan will be throwing large scale totemic sculptures on the potter’s wheel. Visitors will be invited to ‘ornament’ the surface through “Leaving your Mark” workshops.

Stephanie will be evolving work with the public and local professional dancers throughout the project culminating in a series of choreographed dance sketches. These  will be a response to the physical gestural movements of ceramic manufacturing as well as the Laban techniques that Glenys Barton was so influenced by. The final work will be celebrated during the focus weekend on 12th and 13^th October.

22 Hands is generously supported by Potclays Ltd, a leading award-winning provider of ceramic supplies and training to the studio ceramics and paint-your-own-pottery markets.

Visit Stoke for the whole weekend.  There is plenty to see with lots on offer, all for free.