• Material Properties • Self Expression and Process • The 'Art/Craft' Debate

Thinking about ceramics: material properties When looking at a piece of ceramics, there are material properties to take into account, particularly the type of clay and the surface effects. (See glossary for definitions of commonly used terms.) In the ceramics world, as in other creative arenas, modes, methods and materials come in and go out of fashion. At the moment porcelain clay is a much-used material, and slip-casting is a popular making method. It is often helpful to have some idea how and why a piece was made - the makers’ statements in the catalogue give some useful insight on this. Touch is an important aspect of our appreciation of ceramics and some museums and galleries have handling collections to help pupils gain experience in touching a range of different clay objects. All the objects in this exhibition have tactile surfaces. Although they cannot actually handle them, pupils can be encouraged to imagine how they might feel by remembering familiar objects: a favourite mug for instance, a teacup, or a pottery bowl.