David Binns Ceramics

p e r s o n a l. .p r o f i l e

Current position
Principle Lecturer / Reader in Contemporary Ceramics, Department of Design, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire.
Ceramic Designer / Maker Studio in Denbigh, N.Wales.
Member of steering group of ‘Atoms to Art’ (EPSRC funded research network – Science & Art in Ceramics & Glass).

Membership
Member of the International Academy of Ceramics.
Crafts Council Index of Selected Makers.
Fellow of the Craft Potters Association.
Contemporary Applied Arts.
North Wales Potters.

Awards
AHRB - Small Research Grant 2003.
Gold Medal Winner in Craft & Design, National Eisteddfod of Wales, Mon 1999.
AHRB - Research Leave & Small Research Grant 1999.
Arts Council of Wales Travel Bursary 1999.
Prize-winner - Arts & Crafts National Eisteddfod of Wales 1998.

Collections
Latvian Museum of Applied Arts, Riga, Latvia.
HanhangLim Gallery, Korea.
Dokuz Eylul Universitesi, Izmir, Turkey.
National Museum of Wales - Cardiff.
Ceramics Collection - University of Wales (Aberystwyth).
International Ceramics Studio - Kecskemet, Hungary.
Liverpool Museum.
Plus numerous private collections.

Previous professional experience
Research Residency at Marshalls Clay Products, Accrington (Exploring traditional brick & terracotta hand-making processes) 1999.
Lecturer in Ceramics & 3D Design - 1983-90 Wrexham College of Art & Design.
Worked with David Roberts, Holmfirth, W. Yorkshire 1982-83.
Technical & Design Consultant Dennis Ruabon Ltd, N.Wales 1988-91.
Glaze / Engobe development - Bayer UK Ltd, Stoke - on - Trent 1990.

Education
Post Graduate Certificate in Education N.E.W.I. 1986.
B.A.(Hons) 3D Design - Wood, Metal, Ceramics 1st Class Honours, Manchester Polytechnic 1978 - 82.

Introduction to my Ceramic Practice
My current ceramic work involves two distinct but inter-related activities:

Professional Practice
Research

My Practice involves the creative exploration of the ideas through the medium of clay and more recently kiln cast ceramic aggregates and glass. This work is informed by more formalized research. Work developed through my practice is featured in exhibitions both in the UK and internationally.

The principle aim of my research is to broaden the creative opportunities and aesthetic vocabulary of craft ceramics. I am particularly interested in exploring how ideas and technologies conceived within a craft context might be translated to industrial scales of production and application.

Research involves systematically testing new materials, individually or in combination and developing new process and applications for the materials. Dissemination of research findings occurs through exhibition, journal and book articles, conference papers, lectures, workshops and participating in symposium.

Current Research Project
‘Fragments of Clay - Kiln Cast Ceramic Aggregates Glass’
Evolved from previous research examining materials in ceramic bodies, the project
explores how ceramic aggregate materials may be fused together using glass-forming
agents, creating a aesthetically unique material – hybrid of glass and ceramic processes and aesthetic properties.

Brief career history
As a child I always intended a career in architecture. However, as I came to recognise architecture would not provide the opportunity of satisfying my love of working with materials, I decided on studying wood and furniture design. The course I studied at Manchester Polytechnic required students to study a variety of materials - wood, glass, metals and ceramics. Whilst continuing to work with wood, my interests turned to clay - a material previously unfamiliar to me. The experience of working with other materials and wood in particular, I believe clearly affects my thinking and ideas in clay.

On graduating, Raku Potter, David Roberts offered me the opportunity to work with him in his studio for twelve months. During this period I also started lecturing part- at The North Wales School of Art & Design.

In 1990 I moved to teach Ceramics at The University of Central Lancashire in Preston. Since then I have divided my time between sharing a studio with my partner Wendy Lawrence, at our home in North Wales and lecturing.

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