Invited by the British Ceramics Biennial 2019, artists Duncan Hooson and Stephanie Buttle collaborate with multi-media artist Tim Gray and other performance artists to create 22 Hands, an immersive performative workspace here at the World of Wedgwood.

The work reflects on the work of artist Glenys Barton, who in the 1970s, was Wedgwood artist-in-residence. She created figurative and sculptural pieces intended to compliment general factory production with their pure artistry. Barton was Laban dance trained and has been interested in the figure throughout her long career.

Referencing her repeated quiet solitary figures, circular shapes, staircase steps, layered boards and images of movement as starting points and staging props, 22 Hands expands Barton’s vision through the creation of three theatrical sets that will be animated throughout the festival.

The title 22 Hands refers to the number of people that are said to handle a form during its factory production process.

For several days each week during the BCB festival the artists will be present, enacting their creative process in the theatre space. Duncan will be throwing on the potters’ wheel large scale totemic sculptures that visitors will be invited to ‘ornament’ the surface through “Leaving your Mark” workshops.

Evolving throughout the project Steph will work with the public and local professional dancers towards a series of choreographed dance sketches. These discoveries will be a response to the physical gestural movements of ceramic manufacturing as well as the Laban techniques that Glenys Barton was so influenced by. The final work will be celebrated during the focus weekend on 12th and 13^th October.

Visit Stoke for the whole weekend.  There is plenty to see with lots on offer, all for free.