- Chris Keenan
Chris Keenan – Throwing and turning with Porcelain
£720.00
Dates:
8 June, 2026 - 11 June, 2026
Chris has been making pots for thirty years, beginning his journey in 1995 as Edmund de Waal’s first apprentice before establishing his own studio in 1998, which he has shared for over two decades with Brazilian potter Carina Ciscato. Working exclusively in porcelain, his wheel-thrown and turned forms are glazed in a restrained palette of tenmoku and celadon, reduction-fired in a gas kiln, and created for both use and decoration. Alongside functional pieces such as cups, teapots, and lidded vessels, Chris also develops “extra-curricular” series that explore more narrative and interactive qualities, most recently through his “vistas” or “scapes.” He exhibits widely in the UK and internationally, with work held in the collections of the V&A, the Ashmolean, and the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art in Japan, and has undertaken residencies and teaching roles in the UK and abroad since 2011.
8 Spaces Available
Chris Keenan
Chris is an accomplished ceramicist with many years of experience working primarily in porcelain. His practice centres on creating finely thrown, functional vessels that combine clarity of form with subtle surface qualities.
Your Course
Join renowned ceramicist Chis Keenan for an immersive four-day masterclass at The Waldron, where you’ll delve into the world of Porcelain.
Throughout the course Chris will demonstrate the throwing and turning of the forms mentioned below.
Being a summer course, we hope that the weather is kind and we can dry freshly thrown pots outside so they are ready for turning sooner. He will keep a close eye on how things are drying. There will be time to discuss how the forms the students are making can relate one to another across their functional purposes to make a coherent body of work. Chris is also able to give an illustrated talk about his life with clay .
Monday – starting with the throwing of cylinders we will go on to explore other “upright” forms – eg. mugs, beakers and bud pots/vases. When working on mugs, the making of handles will be demonstrated as and when the pots are turned.
Tuesday – we will examine “enclosed” forms which require the clay to be thrown wider and then collared to make the desired form – eg. rounder forms, bottles and lidded pots, possibly including teapots.
Wednesday – it’s time for more “open” forms, allowing to clay to do what it likes to do on the wheel – eg. bowls, dishes, plates.
Thursday – the last day of a course is always a busy day as the students finish their pieces. At the end of the day the students will have the opportunity to talk to the group about the work they’ve made.
Spaces are limited to ensure personalised instruction.
Key Information
- Suitable for: Intermediate to Advanced
- Timings: 4-Day masterclass from 10am – 4.30pm
- Catering: A light lunch and refreshments will be provided each day. Please specify any dietary requirements at time of booking.
- Venue: The Waldron Gallery & Studio, TN21 0RA
