ABOUT ME
As a dedicated educator, passionate about the clay material, I aspire to share my extensive skills and knowledge in a broad range of ceramics techniques and ignite a love for clay in my students by creating a flexible, supportive, and dynamic learning environment that nurtures creativity and personal development.
My personal work aspires to critically investigate the conceptual potential of the ceramic object , exhibiting my belief that ceramic multiples and ceramic installation art can demonstrate a clear attachment to the material clay as well as a strong connection with the history and tradition of the medium while transcending its association with Craft – enabling thereof the ceramic artist to express content and conceptual ideas that can interject with various audiences, convey substantive content and generate conversations about political and social issues.
WORKSHOPS
ABOUT THE STUDIO
Welcome to my cozy ceramic studio—a creative space for anyone who loves to work with their hands, whether you’re trying pottery for the first time or are already experienced and want to keep making. Located within walking distance from New Cross Gate station, the studio is in my home, where I comfortably teach small groups of up to 4 people at a time.
When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me at the potter’s wheel or working on hand-built pieces, exploring new techniques and keeping up with the latest in the ceramic world.
This summer, I had the privilege of attending three masterclasses with Emmanuel Alexia, where I spent a week collecting and preparing clay from the wild, another week shaping chawan bowls by pinching, and finished with an incredible week of preparation of black glazes from raw materials and raku and wood firing.
I can’t wait to share all that I’ve learned with you and help you discover the joy of ceramics!
THROWING CLASSES
DURATION
8-week course. One 2-hour, one-on-one session per week.
LEVEL
Suitable for all levels. Beginner / Intermediate
PRICE
£296
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Once the course begins there are no refunds.
If you are unable to attend a session, you can reschedule one lesson during the twelve-week course or the eight-week course.
All material costs, such as clay, glaze, and firing, are included in the session or course fees, meaning there are no extra charges. You can create one piece per session, and if you’d like to make additional pieces, there is a small fee of £2.50 for every 500g of fired pottery—approximately £1 for a teacup. You will receive an email notification when your final pieces are ready for collection, typically about four weeks after the last class. However, most of the work is fired while the classes are still ongoing. I cannot guarantee that pieces will not be damaged in the kiln or that they will survive the firing process.
DESCRIPTION
This pottery class is a wonderful chance to dive into the art of working with clay on the wheel, known as ‘throwing’. With the expert guidance of an experienced tutor, you’ll be supported every step of the way. Whether you come solo or bring friends, it’s a lively and enjoyable way to unlock your creativity and discover the magic of throwing.
In this immersive session, you’ll learn to wedge the clay, centering it on the wheel, and then master the technique of pulling up the walls to shape it into a cylinder. You’ll create multiple pieces, and one of your chosen works will be glazed and fired, ready to collect in 4-6 weeks. A truly inspiring hands-on experience!
TO BOOK
Studio hours run from 10am – 4pm daily (Monday to Sunday)
Please get in touch if you need a class outside these hours, as I may be able to accommodate your schedule.
To book please contact me via email on monikagrandvaux@yahoo.com or by phone on 07814 890 778
HAND BUILDING CLASSES
DURATION
12-week course. One 2-hour session per week. Up to 4 participants.
LEVEL
Suitable for all levels. Beginner / Intermediate
PRICE
£360
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Once the course begins there are no refunds.
If you are unable to attend a session, you can reschedule one lesson during the twelve-week course or the eight-week course.
All material costs, such as clay, glaze, and firing, are included in the session or course fees, meaning there are no extra charges. You can create one piece per session, and if you’d like to make additional pieces, there is a small fee of £2.50 for every 500g of fired pottery—approximately £1 for a teacup. You will receive an email notification when your final pieces are ready for collection, typically about four weeks after the last class. However, most of the work is fired while the classes are still ongoing. I cannot guarantee that pieces will not be damaged in the kiln or that they will survive the firing process.
DESCRIPTION
This course is designed for both beginners and intermediate potters. I’ll tailor the sessions to suit everyone’s skill level, ensuring a supportive and enjoyable experience.
In this class, you’ll learn a variety of foundational techniques, including wheel-throwing, pinching, coiling, slab-building, decorating, and glazing. As you gain confidence, you’ll be encouraged to explore your own projects and ideas, with guidance from me and support from your fellow potters.
Whether you arrive with a specific vision or simply wish to follow along, you’re invited to let your creativity flourish during these mindful two-hour sessions.
TO BOOK
Studio hours run from 10am – 4pm daily (Monday to Sunday)
Please get in touch if you need a class outside these hours, as I may be able to accommodate your schedule.
To book please contact me via email on monikagrandvaux@yahoo.com or by phone on 07814 890 778
PROJECTS
DANGEROUS LABOUR
‘Dangerous Labour’ derives directly from my previous professional experience as a documentary photographer covering the issue of Maternal and Child Health in Haiti (View image gallery here). I am deeply interested in questioning how artists can address social issues within contemporary art and influence public opinion.
Using multiple miniature hand thrown vessels as a shape metaphor for the womb, the installation, an abstract mural based on maternal deaths statistics (World Health Organization, 2010) and their geographical location, aims to raise awareness on the sheer number of women dying everyday due to pregnancy related causes as well as the striking disparity between the global North and the global South.
BEAUTIFUL IMPERFECTIONS
This ongoing work is an investigation of stress relations between ceramic bodies and glazes. Glazes are conventionally used as a coating layer providing the ceramic body with high chemical resistance, durability and aesthetic aspects. Alteration in the optimum conditions of the firing process (time, temperature, cooling) and individual glazes components, create chemical reaction that lead to the formation of glazes defects caused by improper stresses within glaze layers (tension, compression). These indelible marks can appear as crazing, cracking, peeling, pin-holing on the surface layer.
Inspired by a quote by Hans Selye, a pioneering endocrinologist, “I cannot and should not be cured of my stress, but merely taught to enjoy it.”, I started experimenting with the idea of beauty within stress marks and defects, which disable the intended utilitarian function of the ceramic vessel but create beautiful and aesthetically original outcome.
Monika Grandvaux
Ceramic Art & Workshops
Contact details
- monika@monikagrandvaux.com
- +44 7814 890 778
Contact form
Monika Grandvaux©2022. Design by Stephane Grandvaux