3-day workshop with visiting ceramic artist, Chris Bramble, from London

Clay Ground Berlin is excited to offer a 3-day ceramic workshop taught by Chris Bramble, from London. Chris has dedicated his life to the art of ceramics as a creator and teacher. His work showcases diverse clay types and techniques, influenced by the rich tapestry of cultures and life experiences. From figurative to abstract forms, each piece reflects social, political, and personal perspectives, capturing the spirit of clay.

This is a unique opportunity to learn and create combinational work, including wheel throwing, coiling, slab building, and modeling. Chris will demonstrate and provide hands-on instruction to participants throughout the workshop. You will leave with a fresh and different approach to add to your clay practice.

Theme: What inspires you from everyday life?

What to bring:

A selection of small items, found objects or small models, inspired by everyday life, to make your sprig moulds and inspire your making.

Timetable

Day 1
The day will begin with an introductory talk, during which you will explore ideas inspired by your personal creativity. Chris will demonstrate various techniques to bring your ideas to life, such as preparing and rolling slabs, making sprig molds with plaster, and explaining each step of the process. Chris will also show you how to throw basic forms or use soft slabs to create supporting structures. Following the demonstration, you’ll get hands-on practice with these techniques to create your own unique form.

Day 2
On Saturday, Chris will guide you through refining the basic supporting form. You will turn the pieces you threw on Day 1 and begin assembling your final structure, combining the different elements you’ve created into a cohesive piece.

Day 3
You’ll add the finishing touches and apply final decorations to your creation. This includes using sprig forms, adding textures, decorating with slips, and other details. Chris will emphasize the importance of attention to detail and achieving a balanced composition of color and form in your finished work.

The workshop is intended to enrich your wheel-throwing and hand-building skills, however, if you wish to keep the finished form and have it fired at Clayground, please inform us. These can be bisque-fired at our studio for an additional charge.

Course details

Dates: 21st, 22nd and 23rd February
Time: 10:00 – 16:00
Instructor: Chris Bramble
Language: English
Included in cost: Expert teaching with personal one-on-one help, 5 hours per session x 3 sessions, all materials, tools as well as a vegetarian lunch, tea and coffee.
Address: Clayground Studio, Danneckerstrasse 7, 10245 Berlin-Friedrichshain

About the artist:

Chris Bramble was born in London and spent his early years in Ipswich before moving to Hastings as a teenager. His passion for working with his hands emerged early on, helping elderly people at a local basket-weaving shop. While studying for a diploma in Exhibition Design, Chris discovered his love for clay during a course module on three-dimensional materials. This led him to pursue a BA Honours in Ceramics at Glasgow School of Art, where he began exhibiting his work by his second year, easing the transition into the professional art world.

After graduating, Chris took a break to travel and moved to Zimbabwe with friends, initially intending to stay for three months. Instead, he spent two years working as an Exhibition Officer at the National Gallery, where he explored carving with semi-precious stones in a workshop funded by British American Tobacco. This experience influenced his ceramics, making his work more figurative and blending hand-built sculptural elements with thrown ware.

Upon returning to England, Chris established a studio in London to share his skills with others, eventually collaborating with his daughter, Freya Bramble. His approach to ceramics is organic and inspired by everyday life, with each piece treated as unique. Teaching has become as important to Chris as his own practice, and he finds his greatest reward in the success of his students.

Cancellations

Cancellations must be made at least 14 days before the course starts for a full refund. No refunds will be given when cancellations are made after this date. Students must attend all SCHEDULED class times. If a student misses a session, NO MAKE-UP CLASSES can be offered.