Made in Spode
I found myself in one of strangest spaces I’d ever seen - a room full of thousands of plaster moulds balanced precariously on rickety shelves that vanished upwards into the shadowy rafters. Appearing like relics or monuments, bearing testament to the industry that was once here, the moulds are charged with a sense of loss as the weight of dust has settled and frames each white porous shape.
These are humble, inside out, skilfully made objects that quietly embody a particular era of the historic ceramic manufacturer Spode.
The photographic book Made in Spode was published by Piper Press to coincide with an exhibition of the photographs during the British Ceramics Biennial in October 2015 on the original Spode factory site, in Stoke-on-Trent. The work will be shown during the upcoming Brighton PhotoFringe (Oct 2016) in Rye.
An original poem by Daniel Cockrill sits alongside the 52 photographic illustrations in the publication which was designed by Dominic Brookman of Kenosha Design.
‘This is an important project. The moulds are haunting, delicate, beautiful things. Left behind, they bear witness to the incredible skills of the long-gone craftspeople who created them. Katya’s project, I hope, will make a difference to their survival.’ Sue Herdman, Editor, Ceramic Review
‘Katya’s beautiful photos capture in stunning detail the beauty and craftsmanship of Spode. Her serene images are a living testament to the history and people of Stoke on Trent’. Sophie Conran, Designer
- Limited edition of 500 copies
- Contains: 52 photographic illustrations & poem by Daniel Cockrill
- Published by Piper Press
- Binding: Naked bound
- Book size: 170mm x 230mm
- Pages: 80pp
- Designed by Kenosha Design
- Printed in England
Special edition of the book available in an edition of 100 copies, signed and numbered. This edition includes a small plate mould from Spode and a signed 5"× 4" print.