Shaping the Future at The China Hall, former Spode factory in Stoke-on-Trent
Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor
Clay production and ceramics have been a part of human culture since our earliest beginnings; the basic simplicity of the medium being one its greatest attractions. Yet by no means does this detract from the broad versatility of the form, and the range of potential new directions in which it could be taken. Shaping the Future presents an exhibition of work by a range of artists, students and teachers from four European universities, exploring new avenues of design, education and 3D printing in clay and food culture.
The exhibition forms part of the European Ceramics and its Dimensions project, which aims to advance the future of ceramics by exploring new techniques, technologies and rethinking materials. Shaping the Future will be accompanied by a series of related events running throughout BCB 2017, including a panel discussion for local ceramists and the annual European Future Lights competition for early career ceramicists (this year’s theme: ‘Diversity – of materials, people, methods, approaches, and cultures’).
The Shaping the Future exhibition is curated by Finnish artist Riikka Latva-Somppi, whose practice straddles the intersection between fine art and craft.