Details
Stoneware, glaze
French cleat on reverse for wall hanging
H. 49 x w. 33 x d. 2.7 cm
 
From the series 'Lines of Enquiry':
Constructed with utilitarian corrugations, these forms are a response to current debates around how to navigate the fourth industrial revolution. Lines of Enquiry was conceived when I attended a march against Meta’s AI scraping in the same week that CSM introduced ceramics students to AI tools. Do certain machines pose an existential threat to the maker, and diminish art and, if so, where do you draw the line? Or can digital technology and tools designed for precision, certainty and repetition be used instead to encourage material agency, risk and variation. 
 
Using industrial tools and hand building this project is an exploration of risk vs certainty instead of hand vs machine, inspired by the theories of David Pye, a prominent furniture designer and educator.
 
___
About Iona Singleton
 
"Through my ceramic work I investigate creative historical figures whose impact – positive or negative – still resonates. People with deeply considered and fiercely opinionated views on how art or craft should be made."
 
"Researching a person’s life, thoughts and impact, while creating something that comments on this in clay facilitates a kind of thinking through making, as if through the creation of this physical object the individual themself becomes more tangible."
 
"Sans Gill Light is a response to shifting attitudes towards the art of Eric Gill following the uncovering of his abuse of two of his daughters. It foregrounds the negative side of his art and his eroding image. My grandfather was Gill’s apprentice in the 1930s and through this project I investigated how museums show Gill’s work today."
 
"My Tulip and Leaf vessels take familiar motifs by William Morris and his chief designer John Henry Dearle and extrude them into three dimensions."
 
"The corrugated forms of Lines of Enquiry were prompted by current debates about how to navigate the fourth industrial revolution. Inspired by the theories of furniture design professor David Pye, this project is an exploration of risk vs certainty instead of hand vs machine."
 
With a background in social anthropology, human rights, psychology and journalism, Iona’s focus is on people and societal beliefs about making. Graduating with first-class honours from Central Saint Martins’ BA Ceramic Design in 2026, Iona makes in a shared studio in Peckham, London. Her practice combines tools, machines and digital technology with hands-on making, material agency and surprise. Her work was exhibited at Milan Design Week 2026 and is held in the Central Saint Martins Museum collection.
 
____
Delivery Options
Delivery to Mainland UK within 5 working days
International delivery available within 10 working days
 
___
14 Day Guarantee
If for any reason you are not happy with your purchase, we offer a full refund for any returns within 14 days from delivery date.