I started experimenting with slab building clay when I was studying in my ceramic programme at Hong Kong Art School and RMIT. I enjoyed it because of the architectural nature of building with clay panels and I also liked how I could very literally express the building process in the finished piece.

The first time I learned to slab build was by rolling out my clay slabs, cutting out my templates and then joining them together. To join them you start by roughening up the adjoining edges and then applying a thick slip (or liquid clay) to them. Then, the most satisfying part is to press the two parts together until you feel them merging, and you see the soft slip oozing out of the join creating a little bead or seam of liquid clay all along the joining edge. Usually the next step is to clean up the join, using a tool to clean off the excess slip and then smoothing the seam over. But one could also just as well leave the slip there and let it dry, and I quite liked how this forever captured that satisfying moment of everything squishing together.

Ever since learning this technique I have been trying to think of a product I could make with it, but early on I was never quite satisfied with the functional use of anything I made. The edgy, geometric, architectural forms that lend themselves to slab building, were never quite satisfactory when it came to drinking or eating. After experimenting with different forms I decided on a cylinder as being the most functional, and consequently this form seemed most suitable for some kind of drinking vessel.

The problem now though was trying to make a handle. Again, trying to make a slab form that was pleasant to hold was challenging. Everything I tried was too two dimensional or too geometric to be comfortable. Making a slab handle that was aesthetically pleasing and that matched with the vessel was also a challenge. Trying to find other inspiration I remembered a mug my Dad used to have at home when I was growing up. The 'Hellerware' Mug designed in 1964 and still available today was an injection moulded melamine mug, but it had an interesting half cylinder like, rounded rectangle loop for a handle. With this as a starting point I was finally able to create a slab handle for my slab mug.

From there it took a few iterations to find the right size and proportions, but I am quite pleased with the final result. The handle fits the hand and provides a nice location for resting your thumb. Aesthetically it is true to its slab construction, the body and handle match nicely and the overall look and feel of the mug is quite unique.

At this point in time now I am making batches for sale, the latest batch has been put for sale at the Hong Kong Art Centre Art Shop and I am planning to post my next batch here for sale online, so please stay tuned!

My latest batch of cups now on sale at the Hong Kong Art Centre Art Shop. Finished with a glaze on glaze process where I glaze the cups twice, a copper-cobalt glaze over a Tenmoku iron glaze produced this beautiful blue-green patina. Was pleasantly … — My latest batch of cups now on sale at the Hong Kong Art Centre Art Shop. Finished with a glaze on glaze process where I glaze the cups twice, a copper-cobalt glaze over a Tenmoku iron glaze produced this beautiful blue-green patina. Was pleasantly surprised with the final effect.

Designing a Slab Mug - May 2018