NHS Heroes

This project was created to honour the work of the NHS workers in all professions for their hard and courageous work during the Covid-19 Pandemic. I had originally intended to produce these to be sold to raise money, however, the project was delayed due to lockdown procedures causing delays obtaining materials due to shortages, business closures, and because of my own health issues. I experienced many problems making the moulds and getting the figures to release cleanly.

The clean-up time required for each model, as well as my expense in producing these, alongside declining public support for 'clap for the NHS' all led me to abandon the project. Other problems I experienced were slumping issues - partly again from the release as well as from firing.

This is the first project undertaken in slip-casting ceramics since leaving university and only my second ever slip-casting project. Human figures are definitely a challenge for this technique and despite basing the figures on a doll and creating custom clothing like was being made at the time by NHS and members of the public for protection, somehow doesn't look as realistic or aesthetically pleasing as I was hoping.

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Materials: Slip-cast stoneware glazed figures

Dimensions: H300 x W50 x D50 mm approx

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Date: 2021

Photo: © 2021 Daniel Rollitt