Artist Studios - Isa Bilstein
Before Christmas we visited Isa Bilstein's pottery studio in Cardiff MET. Isa took us through her working process using the most amazing wooden kick wheel. She explained some of the finer points of creating functional pottery and brewed lots of coffee to keep us going.
Artist's Studio - Emma Pughsley
Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Emma Pughsley to document her working process, part of an ongoing photographic series on artists and the spaces in which they create art. Emma works from Cardiff Pottery Workshops by Central Station, a co-working space (formerly) based in The Sustainable Studio. As the startup economy becomes ever more accessible, it makes sense that an increasing number of artists are making use of these co-working spaces, they provide an opportunity to share knowledge, resources and build niche communities. This support structure is unfortunately lacked by many art graduates in South Wales, and it’s a significant factor to why so many abandon their practice soon after their course ends. When considering a ceramicist, the cost of a kiln itself is enough to be a deterrent for many, which goes to show why spaces like these are invaluable, particularly to culturally vibrant areas with potentially high populations of creative practitioners.
When I arrive at the studio Emma is already busy handbuilding a few animal heads for an upcoming craft stall. She directs me around the workspace and pours a cup of coffee into one of her own thrown mugs. A disembodied tentacle doubles as the handle, like much of her recent work it follows a zoological theme. She carries on working while I take a few photos of her handbuilding process before she moves on to the wheel. I'll be back next month to take finished photographs of her ceramic pieces and, if everyone’s schedules coincide, Dan will put together a short video of Emma in the studio.
For more info on Emma and her work visit her website or Instagram.
For more on the Artist Studio Series visit: link