What Make Works' ceramicists have to say about the The Great Pottery Throw Down.

For those left pining after the finale of The Great British Bake Off, the BBC has got your back with another crafty series. The Great Pottery Thrown Down, is set in the Stoke potteries, is all about the age old practice of ceramics.

A few weeks into the inaugural series we’ve got lots of questions. Is this an accurate portrayal of the ceramics practice? Are the contestants any good? Is this show finally bringing the ceramics industry into the public eye? Or is it a mockery of the real craft that ceramicists do?

We’ve asked some of Ceramicists listed on Make Works whether they’ve been tuning in, and what their thoughts are.

Rachel Smith

"What excites me are the processes shown, as a ceramicist I find it really inspiring to see projects made in clay. I would have liked to see more of the Middleport pottery as I am fascinated by mass manufacture of ceramics where the same issues arise that face studio potters, just on a slightly different scale. I loved their brand new shiny kilns! I think anything that highlights Britain's ceramic heritage is brilliant. I would also suggest that anyone who loves ceramics considers visiting Jingdezhen as that city brings home the concept that ceramic manufacture is our global heritage, almost the oldest profession in the world!"

Rachel Smith is a ceramicist based at Glasgow Ceramics Studio

Kevin Andrew Morris

"I’ve been avidly watching the show, especially the role that the technician Richard has been playing in the proceedings (my claim to fame I’ve been telling everyone recently is that I had a screen test for the job). Personal vendettas aside I feel the series is very well pitched and paced allowing a range of viewers some with little or no understanding of traditional ceramic techniques, materials and processes an opportunity to learn week by week. For the most part this is achieved through a fairly entertaining show that closely follows The Great British Bake Off’s formula.

 The BBC have made every effort to ‘sex up’ the series and by extent pottery, largely through contestants dialogue, innuendos and music choice, as well as piling the pressure on the constants to add a bit more drama. The contestants are all fairing well considering this and that ceramics isn’t a material that likes to be rushed but it is obvious that there are different levels of experience and skill (Ahead of next weeks final my money is on Matthew suspiciously the only contestant with a degree in ceramics and potters for parents…) Putting the potters through there paces the Judges for the most part seem a little inconsistent in there decisions-with the exception of Keith’s weekly emotional reaction.

From recent experience I feel the show is encouraging people to sign up for public courses (reasonably priced courses available at The Glasgow Sculpture Studios*), as well as increasing the public’s appreciation of handmade ceramics, which at the end of the day can only be a good thing especially during this festive season. I have thoroughly enjoyed the show, often taking notes, re-watching episodes and discussing with my peers and students. I hope that a second series is commissioned perhaps with more Scottish representation (wink wink)." 

*Shameless Plug

You can find out more about Kevin Andrew Morris here

Julia Smith

"I have been watching the show and I think it is good in a sense that it shows a variety of techniques, materials and processes involved in producing hand-made ceramics. It is realistic in showing the challenges and frustrations involved with making pottery and also little insights into why people do it, what they get from it.  

It has featured some work from professional makers although has not mentioned their names or websites for further information.  The show is not really about promoting ceramic artists though, it is an entertainment show and if it encourages people to sign up to a night class and have a go themselves then I think it is a good thing.  

Not sure if it will take off like the Bake Off though!"

You can find out more about Julia Smith Ceramics here

Fiona at Cyan Clayworks

"So far, it seems well organised and goes into plenty of detail about the processes involved. It also shows the challenges and risk taking involved in ceramics. Perhaps not fully apparent to the public is the huge pressure of the timescale in producing and processing the work, particularly for non-professionals. Under normal circumstances, we ideally wouldn't make, fire, glaze and fire big pieces all in one week... The more you rush working with clay, the more technical issues are likely to appear. Particularly with handbuilding, you would also want much longer to work on individual pieces. Although I'm sure this makes for good television...

Its very much about traditional pottery (rather than contemporary ceramic practice) in its language and approach, but then it does have to appeal to a broad audience. So if it means more people join a class, or understand why handmade ceramics costs more than factory-made ware, then that's a good thing. Since the show started we have had a big surge in interest in booking courses at the studio.

I think the contestants are doing pretty well under the pressure of performing for the public; obviously there's different levels of experience and knowledge."

You can find out more about Cyan Clayworks here

Have you been watching? We'll be adding more responses to this piece as they come in, let us know what you think of the show.

If all this talk of Ceramics has gotten you inspired to give it a go, have a read of our Guide to Ceramics.