Application
Ceramicists apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. At this level, the practitioner has a command of a range of techniques as well as the conceptual and creative skills to create a coherent body of work.
Technique refinement is a largely independent activity with mentoring and guidance as required. It would normally include work with several different techniques as part of the process of developing an individual style. In practice, this process is integrated with the skills described in the unit CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Research ceramic ideas and techniques | 1.1 Support professional practice by expanding own knowledge of historical and contemporary ceramics practice 1.2 Research ways that other artists have used different ceramic techniques 1.3 Investigate how particular ceramic techniques work to achieve different technical effects 1.4 Evaluate the relationships between ceramic techniques and ideas 1.5 Adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches with consideration of intellectual property requirements |
2. Evaluate and select ceramic techniques for refinement | 2.1 Consider opportunities offered by different ceramic techniques 2.2 Determine limitations and constraints of particular techniques 2.3 Select ceramic techniques for refinement |
3. Determine and establish specific safety requirements for ceramics work | 3.1 Investigate safety issues associated with ceramics work 3.2 Set up work space according to safety requirements 3.3 Establish and follow safe work practices for selected techniques 3.4 Monitor key safety issues during the production of work |
4. Consolidate ceramic techniques to professional level | 4.1 Develop increasing confidence and skill through practice and experimentation 4.2 Proactively identify and resolve technical problems in ceramic projects based on developing expertise 4.3 Challenge and test ideas, and allow new and unpredictable ideas to emerge 4.4 Evolve ideas and other professional skills through ongoing experimentation with technique 4.5 Develop own ways of working with techniques to create individual style 4.6 Create a coherent body of ceramic work that shows command of selected ceramic techniques |
5. Evaluate own ceramic technique | 5.1 Evaluate development of own technique with others and seek feedback 5.2 Seek and participate in experiences that challenge and explore different concepts and approaches 5.3 Reflect on the particular ways that experimentation with different techniques has informed own artwork 5.4 Identify ways in which technique may be further developed as part of a professional practice and build ideas into future work |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to engage with others about the technical and conceptual aspects of ceramics work
critical thinking and analytical skills to:
evaluate and make judgements about relationships between ceramic technique, effects and ideas
make critical evaluations of own ceramic technique
make critical evaluations of research findings
initiative and enterprise skills to identify and act on opportunities for own practice presented by research and experimentation
learning skills to develop and refine own skills to a professional practice standard
literacy skills to analyse complex and varied information about ceramic technique
problem-solving skills to identify and resolve technical and conceptual issues in ceramic work
self-management and planning skills to create a coherent body of ceramic work
technical skills to show command of chosen ceramic techniques at a professional level
technology skills to use the internet as a research tool.
Required knowledge
relationship between ceramic technique, and particular effects and ideas – in the work of other artists and in the context of own practice
extended range of information sources that support research in ceramics practice
cultural, sociological, philosophical, aesthetic, political and commercial influences on ceramic technique, in historical and contemporary contexts
professional development opportunities for artists seeking to develop a ceramics practice
elements and principles of design and how they may be used, adapted and challenged in the creation of work
intellectual property issues and legislation associated with ceramics as a professional practice
sustainability issues for the professional operation of a ceramics practice
OHS requirements for the set-up and operation of a professional work space for ceramics work.
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: evolve and refine ceramic technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation develop individual style in own work produce a coherent body of professional ceramic work that shows the use of well-developed ceramic technique research ceramic technique in the broader context of other artwork and artists use safe and sustainable work practices. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: a safe ceramics work space materials, tools and equipment used to produce ceramic work. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: evaluation of ceramic technique within a body of work produced by the candidate evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine ceramic technique evaluation of the work documentation direct observation of work in progress, including exploration of, and experimentation with, techniques questioning and discussion about candidate’s intentions and the work outcome review of portfolios of evidence review of third-party reports from experienced practitioners. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Ceramic techniques may include: | applications of materials other than plaster to create moulds, templates and patterns applied and subtractive surface treatments, including: engraving, carving, incising and piercing glazing sprigging, slip decoration and applied colour block and case moulds for casting production die making for extruders handbuilding techniques, including pinch, coil, slab construction and extrusions mould-making techniques mould and profile making for jigger jolley machine mould making for pressed tiles slip-casting techniques throwing techniques use of a variety of materials as supports, such as: armatures reinforcement use of the following tools and equipment: kilns: gas, electric and raku jigger jolley machine with associated fittings ram press with associated fittings rasps, chisels and saws for forming templates, models and moulds. |
Technical effects may include: | combination of clay bodies and other materials other effects, such as laminated clay, including : laminated incompatible bodies two or more laminated compatible stained bodies surface treatments specific to ceramics, such as: alternative non-ceramic surface finishes, such as wax, paint and patina burnishing erosion techniques, including: acid etching sandblasting water etching other surface applications, including: fumed finishes from pit firing and post raku firing reduction glazing high-fire reduction finishes masking techniques on green ware, biscuit ware and glost ware multiple layering of different surface treatments on-glaze enamels reduced lustres slip decorating, such as slip trail, sgraffito, inlay and paper resist water erosion. |
Intellectual property requirements may relate to: | copyright design licensing regulations form of acknowledgement or credit moral rights protocols for the adaptation of work by others trademarks. |
Opportunities may relate to: | architectural ceramics, including tiles, mosaics and murals ceramic installation, including use of fired and/or non-fired clay commercially viable (limited production) tableware, vessels and sculptures communication of ideas large scale sculptural work incorporating mixed media in constructions and assemblages large thrown, handbuilt or slipcast vessels or sculptural forms personal affinity with particular techniques potential for combining techniques potential for interactions between technique and media themes in work wearable objects. |
Limitations and constraints may relate to: | availability of materials capacity of technique to deliver required effect finances location and geography own interaction with technique resources time. |
Refinement may relate to: | ability to use selected techniques with confidence ongoing demonstration of development of technique use of selected techniques in a body of professional work. |
Safe work practices may include: | completing material safety data sheets (MSDS) correct disposal of waste materials dust and fume extraction ergonomic safety managing risk reporting accidents and incidents safely using tools and equipment using clearly designated wet and dry areas using personal protective equipment (PPE). |
Technical problems may include: | limitations of own technical skill required for: forming techniques glaze application techniques surface design and decorating techniques limited availability of space for: displaying fired results producing work, including making, glazing and firing storing work in progress, whether damp or dry other limitations, such as: equipment and machinery breakdown, such as kiln element failure, faulty or broken equipment, and no fuel limited kiln capacity to allow for work to be fired as required skills and knowledge required for selected firing processes unavailability of kilns suitable for large work. |
Coherent body of ceramic work is: | conceptually resolved documented in terms of its development subject to critical feedback by others technically resolved thematically connected. |
Ways in which technique may be further developed may include: | collaboration further study intensive workshops mentored guidance new projects. |
Sectors
Visual communication – ceramics
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.