Meet Tucker, an artisan working in ceramics, photography and wood.
Tucker grew up in London in a practical, artistic family. Creativity and imagination were nurtured, basic skills learnt and exacting standards developed. Not being formally trained means, he is not restricted by the conventions of education.
The need to create has led to many developments. Working with others has introduced new media and techniques, which he has practised and honed.
He moved his workshop from London to Wales (deep in the hills on the west coast). Here the natural environment has mellowed and matured his artistic voice.
His works are in the possession of celebrities, gentry, designer establishments and the collections of the discerning.
Enter his galleries to be inspired, or acquire a piece that has a value far beyond its price.
My Materials
Wood can offer inspiration with its characteristics. To work it you learn to read each piece, by its grain direction or directions as it changes. You use these dynamics to predict its movement when it has been crafted into a finished piece and is in its new home. Wood is hygroscopic it is constantly moving with the seasons moisture and temperature .
Clay moves as it dries from its wet state to leather hard, when it goes into the kiln for its first firing and then again in its glaze firing. Some pieces go through further firings but their shrinking has mostly settled down by then. Every time you fire it you risk the piece as it could crack as it heats and cools from as high as 1280 C. The average shrinkage rate of clay is generally around 10% from its wet state to finished piece.