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Helen Sundin

My first bowl for my Granny

Raku bowl

Statement

 

Raku and alternative firing methods have always held a special fascination for me.

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During firing, the elements introduced into the process are burnt away or transformed by the extreme heat, and it is through this transformative journey that the captivating surface effects are born, producing raw, authentic pieces.

 

Imperfections and irregularities are an intrinsic part of the process and add to the charm and character of the finished piece. By experimenting with different materials and exploring a myriad of surface effects, the creative possibilities are boundless.

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For me what sets alternative firing methods apart from traditional techniques is their unpredictability. This sense of adventure and discovery is what keeps me hooked – there's nothing quite like the thrill of unveiling each piece as it emerges from the kiln with its own unique personality.
 

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A Little Bit of Background

 

Life's full of surprises, isn't it?

 

My ceramics journey started back in sixth form when I made a wobbly raku bowl for my grandmother. Back then, I had no clue it would become my passion.

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I've always been ‘arty’ so after school, I made my way from my hometown of Newcastle to London for a foundation course and then onto a graphic design degree. At the time it seemed the sensible option but I never really enjoyed it. I should have done 3D design which I enjoyed more.

 

Oh well, coulda, woulda, shoulda!

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After graduating I headed back up north to do a postgrad (as it was called in those days) in marketing – again the ‘sensible’ option with the idea of combining my graphic design skills (now redundant due to the invention of desktop publishing!) with marketing training.

 

After that I ended up jumping from job to job never finding my ‘thing’ - graphic designer/marketing until I decided it definitely wasn't for me and then onto fundraising, TV and radio researcher...I even set up and ran the first parenting and pregnancy website (3 million visitors per month) - lots of imitators followed - which led to me opening 6 toy and gift shops. And did I mention that I trained as a child psychotherapist?.... 

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Still trying to scratch that creative itch I took lots of short and residential art courses – ceramics restoration, mosaic, decorative paint techniques, gilding, painting with oils/acrylics/watercolours … I even learnt how to cane a chair seat!

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Then, one day in 2013, I stumbled into a ceramics class at my local college and boom! I was hooked. I spent most Fridays there with a group of amazing ladies we dubbed 'The Friday Potters' until COVID threw us off course and the group essentially disbanded.

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In early Summer 2021 when the world started to get back to 'normal', and missing my pottery I decided to learn to be a ‘proper’ potter. So after my youngest flew the nest I enrolled on the glass and ceramics degree at Sunderland University, and I qualified in July 2024 with a first class honors degree and the ceramics prize to boot!

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Chuffed! Totally.

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In September 2024 I begin a two year MA in ceramics.

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It all started with that bowl for Granny. She passed it down to me when we lost her, and it's become a symbol of where it all began. 

 

I hope she's looking down, proud as can be.

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