Georgia Stevenson, a ceramic artist with an architectural background, has carved out a unique niche in the art world. Her practice, Georgia Stevenson Ceramics, is a fascinating exploration of materials and their transformation. What makes her work stand out is the use of locally sourced construction waste, a concept that is both environmentally conscious and artistically intriguing.
The Architectural Influence
Georgia's architectural training has undoubtedly shaped her approach to ceramics. She mentions how her architectural language and understanding of systems thinking influence her practice. This unique perspective allows her to view materials through a different lens, one that considers their origin, properties, and potential.
Breaking Ground: A Research Project
The Breaking Ground research project is at the heart of Georgia's work. It began with a curiosity about the materials themselves and a desire to understand their origins and properties. A family friend's offer of clay from their house sparked the initial interest, leading Georgia to experiment with local clays and their various applications.
What makes this project particularly fascinating is its evolution. It has become the practice itself, a direction Georgia wants to continue exploring. The project highlights the importance of material-led approaches, where the artist lets the material guide the creative process.
Sourcing Materials: A Community Effort
Initially, Georgia reached out to builders and architects to source materials, creating a sense of community around her practice. However, as her studio filled up with an abundance of materials, she shifted to a commission-based approach. This allowed her to establish a material library, drawing on her extensive knowledge and testing to predict outcomes for new commissions.
The collaborative nature of her work is notable. Georgia's clients and collaborators understand the unique nature of the process, embracing the unpredictability and the dialogue between the maker, the material, and the client.
Transforming Waste into Art
The process of transforming waste into usable ceramic material is intricate. It involves collecting, sorting, and crushing materials, then refining them through a rock-crushing machine and a ball mill. The crushed materials are then sieved into different grades, and the testing begins. Georgia incorporates these materials into clay bodies or applies them as glazes, always mindful of potential issues like off-gassing.
One of Georgia's favorite materials to work with is demolished concrete. Its transformation in the kiln, resulting in glazes with khaki colors and gold speckles, showcases the potential of these waste materials.
Technical Challenges and Adaptations
Georgia faces technical challenges, particularly with plasticity when incorporating non-plastic materials into clay. However, she embraces these challenges, adapting her techniques and exploring new approaches like hand-building and slip casting.
The Role of These Materials in Architecture
So far, Georgia's creations have been primarily applied as tiles in residential and commercial projects. However, she envisions a broader application, including landscaping, urban design, and public art. The materials carry a sense of provenance and history, which could translate beautifully into public spaces, adding narrative and meaning.
The Response and Future Ambitions
Collaborators and clients have been receptive to the use of waste materials, often embracing the unique stories and irregularities these materials bring. There's a shift in perception, with demolition plans being reframed as resource or material reuse plans. Georgia's work contributes to this shift, offering a more sustainable and meaningful approach to architecture and design.
In the future, Georgia aims to continue sharing her knowledge and empowering other potters to explore their surroundings differently, creating work with deeper meaning and a reduced environmental impact.
Conclusion
Georgia Stevenson's work is a testament to the power of material-led practices and the potential of waste materials. Her architectural background and unique approach have led to a fascinating body of work, challenging conventional notions of ceramics and offering a more sustainable and artistic vision.
