The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 2 July 2013
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Focus: Education<br />
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Above and below: Birgit Sowden and Year 1 students <strong>of</strong> Sunshine Coast Grammar School, Aliens, detail, 2010<br />
Earthenware. 1100°(, h.2Scm. w.90cm. dAOcm; photo: Peler Meyer<br />
seemed to enjoy the forgiving nature <strong>of</strong> the process as it allowed for endless experimentation. On many<br />
occasions, when a child managed to get colour in places where they didn't want it, they just sponged<br />
it <strong>of</strong>f and tried again. This created interesting effects and at the same time informed the children about<br />
the process.<br />
<strong>The</strong> bricks were fired to 1280°C in oxidation. Construction <strong>of</strong> the columns involved concreting a steel<br />
core pole into the ground and building the columns around the core, as a bricklayer would build a pier.<br />
<strong>The</strong> project was a labour <strong>of</strong> love. It was a privilege to witness the children's inherent intelligence and<br />
creativity at work during their exploration <strong>of</strong> clay and glazes in the making <strong>of</strong> this artwork. I would<br />
highly recommend such an endeavour to any artist in need <strong>of</strong> inspiration. By the time the children's<br />
creative odyssey had come to an end, I was brimming with ideas and energy for new work <strong>of</strong> my own.<br />
Birgit Sowden is a Queensland College <strong>of</strong> Art graduate. She lives at Eumundi in the Sunshine<br />
Coast hinterland and manages a part-time ceramics practice between juggling various family<br />
and community responsibilities.<br />
THE IOURNAl Of AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY <strong>2013</strong><br />
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