The Great Pottery Throw Down

Book excerpt: Official companion to the BBC2 primetime series. The Great Pottery Throw Down brought the messy and marvellous world of pottery to life, introducing the nation to the passion and drama of turning lumps of clay into beautiful objects. Now it’s back, with more amateur potters limbering up to throw the perfect pot. Meanwhile, viewers and the British public have responded in kind, with pottery evening classes oversubscribed and sales of clay and artisan ceramics soaring. Now enthusiasts and fans of the series can fill in all the gaps with this must-have companion book, which perfectly captures the passion and creative energy of the series. Combining a vibrant and compelling narrative with striking photographs and illustrations, this book offers readers a complete introduction to ceramic art, craft, manufacture, history and culture, bringing the artform and its rich heritage to life on the page. Learn fascinating details about the materials, processes and skills involved, from the alchemy at its core to magical transformations at the potter’s wheel. Discover how the history of pottery runs parallel to the evolution of mankind, from terracotta warriors to your coffee mug on the breakfast table. And be inspired by human stories of creativity and craftsmanship, via tales of ancient dynasties, scandals of the Industrial Revolution, midcentury trailblazers, and pottery as modern ‘art’ thanks to contemporary figures like Grayson Perry and Antony Gormley.