 Pyres
I started to create
work in response to the foot and mouth crisis in 2001.
I have tried to show
the effect on both the farming and rural tourist industries by the outbreak
of the disease. Many lives have altered dramatically and for them the
legacy continues.
When I created the
work I was asking questions trying to understand the events. I looked
at the statistical data complied by the Government on the crisis. This
research led to more artwork. Children at Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech and Ysgol
Eifionydd, Porthmadog contributed with poetry. I encouraged people to
share their memories. I hope that reminding people of such an event will
provoke the continued discussion into environmental issues.
Tanau
Dechreuais
greu gwaith mewn ymateb i argyfwng clwy’r traed a’r genau
yn 2001.
Ceisiais
ddangos effaith y clwy ar y diwydiannau ffermio a thwristiaeth cefn gwlad.
Mae llawer o fywydau wedi newid yn enfawr ac maent yn dal i deimlo effeithiau’r
clwy
Pan oeddwn
yn creu’r gwaith hwn, roeddwn yn gofyn cwestiynau er mwyn ceisio
deall y digwyddiadau. Edrychais ar y data ystadegol roedd y Llywodraeth
wedi ei gasglu ar yr argyfwng. Arweiniodd yr ymchwil hwn at greu rhagor
o waith celf. Cyfrannodd plant yn Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech ac Ysgol Eifionydd,
Porthmadog gyda barddoniaeth. Anogais bobl i rannu eu hatgofion. Fy ngobaith
yw y bydd atgoffa pobl o ddigwyddiad o’r fath yn ysgogi trafodaeth
a fydd yn dal i fynd ymlaen ynghylch materion yn ymwneud â’r
amgylchfyd.
I
chose to make Urns, I felt that pit firing and Raku firing techniques
had a poignant symbolism.
 Raku
Pot
The urn was hand built using TS Flax paperclay with grog. I then
use oxides, copper and iron and a transparent raku glaze.
I find the reaction of the metals with each other, the glaze and the fire
creates a varied and interesting surface.
Pit
Fired Pot
I create the urn forms and then burnished them to give the clay
surface a soft sheen. The urns are then fired to 1000°c in a gas kiln.
They are then ready to be pit fired.
I made a pit around 3
feet cubed for the urns to be fired in.
I put a layer of around 4 – 6 inches of sawdust. I then place in the
pots, which have been sprayed with oxide, copper usually. I sprinkle in
more oxide over the pots in various places. I then cover the pots with soft
dry garden brash or waste like dried fern fronds, bracken, and dry grass.
I then layer wood creating a uniform layer to the top of the pit. I then
make a small bonfire over the top with branches and whatever material I
have left in the garden from the woody pruning pile. I start the fire and
keep it going above the ground for a round 50 minutes and when it is burned
down to ground level I cover the pit over with corrugated iron sheeting
and leave for a couple of days to smoulder away. The pots come out fairly
clean and I just give them a wipe with a damp cloth. If the surface is smooth
and glossy I may apply a layer of good quality wax polish, which enhances
the surface colour.
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