First Days Vases, British Ceramics Biennial 2021, Photo Credit Jenny Harper

First Days Vases, British Ceramics Biennial 2021, Photo Credit Jenny Harper

First Days Vases

On the day Josiah Wedgwood opened his new Etruria Factory in 1769, he threw ten ‘First Day’s Vases’ to commemorate the occasion and 250 years later are a beautiful testament to the hope of that day. Laura’s First Days Vases were created during residency with the British Ceramics Biennial in 2021 at the former Spode site.

 

Exploring the identity and culture of place, she references Stoke’s past present and future, through the Spode Site. The industrious presence of the china hall, with its worn walkways still visible to the keen eye. The flora and fauna growing from buildings are a beautiful and poignant reminder of the challenges that have faced the ceramics industry in recent years. Yet the site is finding new life as a catalyst for regeneration and home for contemporary ceramics. Laura see’s Stoke’s identity as entwined with craftsmanship, skill and with innovation at the heart of its success.

Laura’s First Days Vases echo her hope for the future of ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent.

First Days Vase, Bone China with handpainting, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China with handpainting, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China with carving, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China with carving, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China, 2021

First Days Vase, Black Jasper with handpainting, 2021

First Days Vase, Black Jasper with handpainting, 2021

First Days Vase Lids, 2021

First Days Vase Lids, 2021

First Days Vase, black porcelain, 2021

First Days Vase, black porcelain, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China with carving, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China with carving, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China, 2021

First Days Vase, Bone China, 2021

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