A wonderful, Delft style, series of plates I came across at Tent London, deserves a special mention. I was actually drawn to the stand by the overall effect of color and whimsical motives, when the designer, Patrick Laing, made me aware of the story the plates tell. The collection is called “I could just go to the shops” and it’s all about making versus buying. I suppose when you have Patrick’s talent you’d have to consider making, in my case, I’d much rather walk around Tent, find great designs and then buy. I’d bet these may become collector’s pieces so let’s have a look at the story. Above is plate 1: Digging for clay.

2. Drying, beating, sifting the clay

3. Picnic and dancing to rehydrate the purified clay

4. Three go coppicing for wood

5. Bonfire! The coppiced wood is burnt generate an ash for dip glazing which is a good excuse for a art school fancy dress research party, the theme being clip on furniture.

6. Jigger jollying (technical term) the clay into plates the morning after in the studio (bonfire petering out in the distance) surrounded by items I have designed.

7. Cycling through the night and a meteor storm onto Stoke

8. Screen printing the plate illustrations

9. Arriving in Stoke at a famous bottle kiln

10. Dip glazing the plates using the glaze from the bonfire

11. Sponging transfers of the plate illustrations on the plates meanwhile Archigram land in the distance to rejuvenate the dwindling ceramic industry.

12. Arriving home

For more about Patrick’s work please check out his Facebook page. The collection is not quite complete but we’re sure he’ll be happy to take orders. Definitely a Modenus Loves.