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Stoneware and Porcelain were developed in 15th century China. They resulted from the integration of an extremely hard material called kaolin into the clay. This high percentage of kaolin made very high firing temperatures possible and produced very fine and dense finished ware – a material that was impervious to water without the aid of glazes and, in the case or porcelain, could be translucent when thin.
Andrew uses stoneware and porcelain because he considers them the highest quality materials available. It has taken time to adapt his aggressive treatment of these materials to the stress such temperatures demand, but the reward is a final piece that is the most beautiful, functional and durable work possible.
Most of his work utilizes “reduction” firing techniques. This process limits the amount of oxygen fed to the fire in order to produce varied effects of color and tone onto the clay and glazes. The most intriguing aspect of this process is the unpredictable patterning and coloration imprinted by the changing atmosphere in the kiln. These variations are totally suited to Andrew’s work in both appearance and concept, for like natural forms, they display an ever-changing divergence from consistency and symmetry.
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Andrew was first drawn to ceramics by the incredible versatility and beauty of the material itself – a material capable of mimicking natural forms and surfaces such as stone, wood, water and flesh. More importantly though, ceramics allows all these different effects to exist seamlessly together within a single work, and thus provides a tool for the deeper exploration of the themes that intrigue him most.
Andrew’s major interest concerns the genesis and evolution of natural forms and how these forms may speak to functional design – both traditional and modern. More specifically, this inquiry includes explorations of the interrelations of surface to form, mutation to symmetry, growth to decay, and representation to abstraction. Function also plays an essential part to the work’s meaning and beauty. It is through the work’s utility that formal themes are transformed and in turn transform their everyday purposes.
The evidence of the human hand and the flexibility of an ongoing dialogue with the material are essential lynchpins to his practice. It is through this constant state of problem solving and variation that forms develop in complexity or branch into myriad complimentary variations.
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Andrew’s work may be categorized into the following pursuits:
He produces original, One-of-a-kind Work, which is available to members of the design trade and galleries for resale.
He offers retailers a range of Series Work, which retain the individuality inherent in handmade ware, but offer greater product consistency.
He works directly with clients on Commissioned Projects. These may include restaurant ware, site-specific pieces and other customized designs.
Please contact Andrew if you would like more information about any of these bodies of work – including images of current work, wholesaling products and terms, or examples of past commission work, or if you are a designer or retailer and would like more information accessed through the log-in section of the site.