Videos
Unlocking the Hidden Things in Clay
Making Pots
Rolling & Decorating a Slab
Making a Bust
Look and Respond
African Masks
Some cultures make clay masks for special ceremonies and dances. What shapes and patterns do you see in these colourful masks?
children's-mask
Children have just started to make a clay mask with slip (watery clay). What features can you see?
Limestone relief slab from the tomb of Rehotep Image © British Museum
Limestone relief slab from the tomb of Rehotep
Limestone relief slab from the tomb of Rehotep
Image © British Museum
Have you ever thought of telling a story on clay? The ancient Egyptians did so thousands of years ago. Look at all the symbols in their work. What things do you see here?
Mother Earth (1999) © Cleo Mussi
This artist has used lots of little bits of ceramic and glass to make a single object. How would you describe it?
Phaistos Disk Large
This clay tablet has an ancient form of writing on it. Why do you think the artist chose to write on clay? How do you think this might feel if you could touch it?
Pottery-ballinadee
Children in Ballinadee NS, Cork made these lovely clay pieces. Do they have different surfaces? How might the young artists have made them?
Roman mosaic
Artists way back in AD 325 used clay to create interesting floor mosaics. Do you see a pattern here?
xun3
The Xun (pronounced "shoo-in") is a musical instrument made from clay. Have you ever tried to make music with your clay creations? This instrument is like a tin-whistle made from clay! Chinese musicians first used these over 7000 years ago.
Field for the British Isles © 1993 Antony Gormley
This sculpture was made in 1993. How do you think these figures were made? Could you try?
© Nicholas Mosse Pottery Co. Kilkenny
Do you see a pattern here? What do you think the potter used to create these patterns?
© Succession Picasso / DACS 2004 Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) Bull Plate
This plate was made in 1957. Picasso liked to paint on tiles and clay objects. Have you ever tried it?
Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) A Young Woman in a Floral Hat
This sculpture was made around 1865. What kind of materials did the artist use to make this?
What will you find in a ball of clay? Have a look and see what others have found!
For Teachers
Plan a Lesson
Introducing Clay
Strange Creatures (Infants)
Meet My Family (Infants)
Using Slabs of Clay
Gone Fishing (1st/2nd Class)
Pinch a Pot (1st/6th Class)
Coil a Pot (1st/6th Class)
Is This a Martian? (3rd/6th Class)
Heads (5th/6th Class)
Making Clay Masks & Models
Glossary
Ceramics – glazed pottery created……
Firing – commercial pottery is baked ……
Glaze – the class like surface of ceramics…..
Harp – a wire tool used to cut clay…..
Kiln – a special oven used to ……
Natural Clay – Terracotta, buff …….
Slip – natural clay diluted with….. More>>