This course introduces students to working with clay through ceramic processes and techniques. It has an emphasis on using different clay bodies, surface decoration techniques and glaze application. Aspects of form and function will be explored through themes referencing both historical and contemporary ceramics. Ceramics will be considered in relation to the broader arena of visual art, craft, design and contemporary concerns related to materials and place. Work health and safety (WHS) instruction is an integral part of this course.
Students may complete this course twice for a maximum credit value of 12 units, provided they enrol in a different topic in each instance/semester. Please note that the course content, assessment structure, and reading list will change depending on the topic and the expertise of the lecturer convening the course. Please refer to the class summary for the specific term in which you wish to enrol for a detailed description.
Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Introduction to Wheelformed Ceramics
Wheelformed ceramics focuses on the fundamentals of wheel throwing. This includes throwing with terracotta and white stoneware clays, for the making of both tableware and sculptural objects. There is an emphasis on practise as well as experimentation, with a mindfulness towards being resourceful with materials and firing. Thrown work is decorated by working into and onto the surface of the clay using carving, incision, underglaze, oxides and glaze. Practical workings with clay are underscored by lessons on kiln loading and firing. There are weekly lectures which incorporate examples of artists who work with clay on the wheel across both traditional and experimental techniques. There is an emphasis on experimenting with materials, surfaces and form and on considering the politics and poetics of material origins and transformations that are inherent in ceramic practices.
- Introduction to Handformed Ceramics
In Handformed ceramics, there is a focus on the fundamentals of hand building, including pinching, slab forming, coiling, press-moulding and extruding. There is also exploration of various surface decorating techniques, including carving, incision, painting, dipping, printing, and transferring with underglaze, oxides and glaze. Practical workings with clay are underscored by lessons on kiln loading and firing. This course has weekly lectures which incorporate examples of artists who work with clay across traditional ceramic techniques as well as through experimental sculptural and conceptual practices. There is an emphasis on experimentation with materials, surfaces and form and in exploring the politics and poetics of material origins and transformations that are inherent in ceramic practices.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- identify and use basic techniques and principles appropriate to ceramics;
- employ safe and professional studio work processes using the specialised equipment;
- explore and evaluate the creative possibilities of materials and techniques in response to set projects; and
- develop works that respond to contemporary ceramic theories and art practices.
Other Information
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.
This course will have a Materials Fee.
At the ANU School of Art & Design, each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art & Design is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. The Materials Fee is payable for the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property.
You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art & Design, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant.
The exact cost of the Materials Fee will be updated in the Class Summary for each semester in which the course is offered.
The full SOAD policy can be read here: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees.
Indicative Assessment
- Complete initial Ceramics-related practical tests. These practical tests are to be set-up in the studio and accompanied by a written statement submitted to Canvas, or short presentation delivered to the class. (10) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Portfolio of Ceramics-related Studio Work 1, submitted on campus. The portfolio is developed and refined across the semester from technical demonstrations, iterative testing and conceptual development, and substantiated by a Visual Diary or documentation and reflection of the project's development. (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Artwork proposal. Artwork proposals can take the form of a presentation or written document, and can include example/s of ceramics-related test pieces. (20) [LO 3,4]
- Portfolio of Ceramics-related Studio Work 2, submitted on campus. The portfolio is developed and refined across the semester from technical demonstrations, iterative testing and conceptual development, and accompanied by a Visual Diary or documentation and reflection of the project's development. (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Semester delivery
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks comprising demonstrations, supervised studio practice, lectures, seminar discussions, reviews and critiques; and
b) 82 hours of independent studio practice and contextual research (reading and writing).
Intensive delivery
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 48 hours of contact over 3 weeks comprising demonstrations, supervised studio practice, lectures, seminar discussions, reviews and critiques; and
b) 82 hours of independent studio practice and contextual research (reading and writing).
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Preliminary Reading
Recommended Texts
Barkley, G. An Atlas of Forms, Thames & Hudson, 2024
Creswell Bell, A. Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artists, 2017
Stouffer, H. The New Age of Ceramics, 2016
Singleton, K. Ceramics: Contemporary Artists Working in Clay, 2016
Norman, D. The Design of Everyday Things, Doubleday /Currency, NY, paperback1990
Petrie, K. The Ceramics Reader, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020
Phaidon Editors, Vitamin C: Clay and Ceramic in Contemporary Art, Phaidon Press, 2021
Rugoff, R, Biswas, A, Carrier, M-C., Strange Clay: Ceramics in Contemporary Art, Hatje Cantz, 2023
Technical
Dassow, S. Low-firing and Burnishing, A & C Black, 2009
McMeekin, I. Notes for Potters in Australia: Raw Materials and Clay Bodies, New South Wales University Press, Australia, 1978
Minogue, C. Impressed and Incised Ceramics, A & C Black, 1996,
Mathieson, J. Techniques using slips, A & C Black, 2010
De Boos, Harrison and Smith. Handbook for Australian Ceramics, Sydney, 1984
Hamer, F. The Potter’s Dictionary of Materials and Techniques, London, 1992
Daly, G. The New Ceramics developing glazes, Bloomsbury, 2013
Daly, G. Glazes and Glazing Techniques: A Glaze Journey, Kangaroo Press, 2003
Ceramic Journals
Journal of Australian Ceramics
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Handformed Ceramics | ||||||
| 5016 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Wheelformed Ceramics | ||||||
| 10032 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |