24 Clay Birds

Made using London clay - a marine deposit from the Palaeogene period, 50/60 million years ago, back when a warm tropical sea covered London. The clay is straight from the earth - dug out from where a Victorian Workhouse once stood in Islington. Fascinated by recent local history as well as the clay’s pre-historic origin I sculpt each bird in the image of our city's little birds. I get a variety of effects when firing. The birds turn an almost terracotta red colour, a gorgeous deep dark brown or a mottled combination not unlike tortoise-shell. I also find some turn out smooth and some are textured but each bird has it’s own unique charm. They are finished with a bit of wax. These very tactile objects are lovely to hold and have a calming quality. Every bird is different and comes in its very own handmade bag.