Ceramics by Paul Philp - Artist Statement

My work is inspired both by a love of the natural world and vernacular architecture. I am fascinated with rocks, rock formations, eroded shore lines, ancient ruins and artefacts, Neolithic standing stones, ancent Chinese jades which have become calcified, and African tribal buildings. Modern abstract expressionist painting also influences my work. I love the warm creamy colour of ancient marble excavated from the Mediterranean earth and the way in which surfaces become encrusted.

Added to these interests is the Zen approach in which the potter creates a situation where the high temperatures of the kiln are allowed to produce all sorts of beautiful random effects. There is a lot of chance involved with this approach and the artist must be prepared for failure along with success.
Sometimes I seek a timeless serene quality that requires fine craftsmanship and a high degree of control. At other times I aim at something more exciting - alluding to rocky eroded landscapes with different textures and changes of tone and colour.

Materials and Technique

The pots are hand built and hand-carved to their final shape. Various natural materials are worked into the surface. The pieces are “stoneware”: that is they are fired at 1260°C --brilliant yellow-white heat.
The clays used are: ball clay, fire clay, earthenware clay and 50% sand.
The pots are fired three times, the final firing with a coating of “dry” glaze: a glaze which is composed of wood ash and china clay.