Journal

  • A Flock of Turds: thoughts on archaeology

    by Laurie Steer
    Dear Laurie,  Doesn't it give you existential dread knowing your weird mugs will outlive our civilization and be dug up by confused future archeolo...

  • You Can't Dance in a Cupboard: a case against safety

    by Laurie Steer
    Dear Laurie, Would you rather someone broke one of your pots using it or kept it untouched in a cupboard forever? Cheers, Michael   Dear Mike, You ...

  • The Genitals of Spring: Flowers in the home.

    by Laurie Steer
    Dear Laurie, Why do we put flowers in vases? Love Ashley Dear Ashley, The easy answer is that we want to bring the beauty of the garden indoors. A...

  • Dirty Work: on fucking a stranger in the sand dunes

    by Laurie Steer
    Hi Laurie, Is wood-firing actually a superior way to fire clay, or is it just an excuse for a bunch of hairy isolationists to burn pine, drink beer...

  • The Desert Road: the weather inside.

    by Laurie Steer
    Dear Laurie, If every ceramic object vanished overnight, what would we miss first? Regards, Roger Dear Roger, The Toilet Bowl.  XL ps Although I r...

  • The Residue of Wonder: On art, artifacts and impermanence.

    by Laurie Steer
    Dear Laurie,  If the ultimate destination of all our labor is just archeological landfill, why bother trying to make art at all?  Ethan   Dear Etha...

  • Pass Me My Towel, Robot: An optimistic guide to automation.

    by Laurie Steer
    Hi Laurie, What are you going to do when robots take your job? Caroline Dear Caroline, The robots have already taken my job but it's ok because I ...

  • Tea Time: Confessions of a reluctant revolutionary.

    by Laurie Steer
    Hi Laurie, Is hand making pottery an act of radical anti-capitalist rebellion, or is it just another luxury hobby for rich people who can’t do yoga...

  • The Most Interesting Thing in the Cupboard: In Defence of Ambitious Pottery

    by Laurie Steer
    Hi Laurie, I bought one of your pieces and it’s virtually impossible to drink out of without poking myself in the eye or spilling fluid down my shi...

  • The Death of my Master: in the autumn of borrowed knowledge.

    by Laurie Steer
    Hello Laurie, Who taught you the most about pottery? Cheers, Sam   Dear Sam, I have been incredibly fortunate to have had some exceptional teachers...

  • Nobody Goes to a Party for a Hangover: an argument for reckless creativity

    by Laurie Steer
    Yo Laurie, How do you decide what is worth making? Nga Mihi, Rangimarie Yo Rangimarie, I think that everything is worth making. I think that you s...

  • Give Me Trouble: in search of the new

    by Laurie Steer
    Laurie, Have you ever accidentally made something good while trying to make something terrible? Monica   Dear Monica, Accidents are for amateurs. I...