Billy Adams

39 Cosmeston Street, Cathays, Cardiff CF2 4LQ
tel: 07876 451887
adamsfamily@ceramicscardiff.freeserve.co.uk

Billy Adams is a potter whose work deals with exploring and experimenting with aspects of landscape. He works within the vessel format, combining textures and colours to give the viewer an intimate insight into his private view of ceramics. This world is a combination of structures and forms interacting with man made elements, provoking the onlooker to question the value of a vessel as a piece of sculpture.

Billy prefers to stay within the realms of the vessel. Rims, handles, lips and balance are commonplace within traditional ceramics, yet he uses them in an unique integrated structure which elevates them beyond their own identifiable function and so gives then another meaning. Their conclusive forms are recognised as jugs, bowls and vessels; however, these represent profound arguments concerning issues of an individual’ s perception and memory of an ever changing landscape.

Adams’ vessels incorporate three different types of clay. During the making process, his clay varies in shrinkage; the outer layer shrinks by 14% and the inner layer by 4%. This is highlighted by his glazing technique. Each piece of work is fired between four and five times. After the standard bisquit firing, he applies a 1280° glaze and follows it up with a 1100° glaze firing, and then a 1040° glaze firing, eventually ending with a 795° lustre firing. After the glazes are sprayed on, they are directionally rubbed off, only to be applied again. This builds up a rich vocabulary of tones and colours, highlighting the unique surface which is characteristic of Adams’ work.