Waves 2

Made by
Di Dewhurst

Di Dewhurst, a resident of the picturesque village of Dervaig since her arrival on Mull in 2010, has embarked on an artistic journey intertwined with clay. Her introduction to the world of ceramics came when she was welcomed into a gathering of potters at Sgriob-ruadh farm, under the nurturing guidance of Chris Reade. Di vividly remembers her first encounter with clay - handed a lump of it and the simple directive, 'make something with that,' and from that day forward, she has been crafting and creating with clay.

During her time at Sgriob-ruadh, Di had the privilege of attending workshops by the esteemed Mull potter, Charlotte Mellis, an experience that continues to resonate with her core group of fellow potters, who gather weekly to explore their clay-based projects. Subsequently, Morar Honeyman assumed the mantle of guiding this group, and they now convene at Achafraoich, where her wisdom and kindness have been instrumental in shaping Di's artistic pursuits.

The medium of clay, requiring little more than skilled hands and a source of heat, has a lineage stretching back to ancient times. Di employs time-honoured techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab building, albeit now harnessing electric kilns in place of wood fires. Her penchant leans towards the drama of raku firing, a process infused with elemental mystique. She selects crank clay, a robust medium capable of withstanding the thermal rigors of raku. After the initial bisque firing, pieces are meticulously glazed with specific raku glazes, returning to the kiln until they glow a fiery red. The final flourish involves the dramatic plunge into sawdust, where fire and smoke orchestrate their own alchemy before a cooling water bath reveals the transformed surfaces.

Yet, amidst the fervour of raku, there are serene moments when Di is in communion with the clay in its raw form. Here, she enters a flow state, where time evaporates, and ideas gradually crystallize into tangible forms. The creative process unfolds with deliberate precision - from shaping to surface treatments, carving, slips, underglazes, and the inevitable bisque firing. Following this, the pieces undergo a final metamorphosis with the application of glazes and yet another firing.

The wellspring of Di's artistic vision flows from her surroundings, particularly the profound influence of island living. The omnipresence of the sea, with its capricious ferry sailings and the reliance on maritime transport for essentials, infuses her work with maritime themes. However, Di's deepest connection with the sea transcends utility. It is her spiritual communion with the liminal zone, where water and land merge, that stirs her soul. Here, she surrenders to the surging waves, immersed in their power, chaos, and transformative embrace. This experience informs her evocative 'wave pieces,' where she endeavours to capture the untamed energy of the sea.

Beyond her artistic pursuits, Di's heart finds solace in her garden, where she cultivates life with the same care and devotion she brings to her clay creations. Among the rows of plants, she finds harmony, and in the company of her chickens, she cherishes moments of simple, authentic connection.