Come and learn this beautiful and healing Japanese art that uses gold or silver-coloured glues to bring together pieces of a broken pottery item and at the same time enhance the breaks.
The traditional Japanese art uses a precious metal – liquid gold, liquid silver or lacquer dusted with powdered gold – to bring together the pieces of a broken pottery item and at the same time enhance the breaks. The technique consists in joining fragments and giving them a new, more refined aspect. Every repaired piece is unique, because of the randomness with which ceramics shatters and the irregular patterns formed that are enhanced with the use of metals.
The practice has a deeper philosophical meaning. The mended cracks become part of the object's design, reflecting symbolically an event in the life of that object, rather than the cause of its destruction. In practising this art-form, we can reflect on our own 'cracks' and 'bumps' and how we can incorporate these events into our life story, using our mind to repair our 'flaws' with beauty, creating precious scars.
A contemporary method of kintsugi uses epoxy glue coloured with gold or silver, making this an easy process to replicate at home. We will use this method during this course. You can either bring with you your own precious pieces or enjoy using pieces provided at the course.
Those looking for a new art form. Those with broken crockery who would like an intriguing new way to recycle these items.
All materials are provided for this course including a bowl. If you prefer, you can bring your own small piece (broken or not) to break and repair. It needs to be a simple and small vessel.
Open Hours
Term Time: Monday - Wednesday 9:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday - Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
School Holidays: When courses are running the office is open 9:00am - 4:00pm