HONOURABLE HARVESTING
OF WILD CLAY
Sharing precious stories of how to find, mould and create with clay with Alexandra Iorgu
It is a true gift to find wild clay and slowly discover the stories it tells. In this workshop, we will explore respectful ways of sourcing clay, and how to honour this precious material. Working with local clay can slowly nurture roots and develop a sense of place, as clay has memory, remembering the Land and Water that made it.
All sessions are recorded and made available for a week following the course. This also includes times for any feedback questions.
Upcoming Dates
June 8th, 10am UK
£40
‘I’m a land-based artist and outdoor educator. I use drawing and clay to connect families with art and nature. My projects have been bringing Toronto’s communities together through co-creation for over ten years.
Learning from Clay
I first discovered clay as a child on the shores of a river in Romania. I have many happy memories of working with found clay, innately making my first ephemeral sculptures.
Learning from the Indigenous People of this Land
I believe that one cannot create if there is no connection. Once uprooted and depressed, it was because of Indigenous Teachings and clay that I found myself sculpting by the water again, realizing how much I have lost during my displacement from my homelands. I have been fortunate to learn from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. If you live in Etobicoke, you follow in the footsteps of those who took care of this Land before you.
Learning from Nature
Our ancestors have given us a chance to live and to grow on this Land. We can give the same gift to those around us as well as those who will come after us. Listening and learning from the natural world can help us to do this. Clay, seeds, leaves, and trees can help us do this.
Giving Back through Making
I want to give the same opportunity to people in my community. I want to share my love of natural materials. I want to share what I have learned. Together, we can learn about the paths of our predecessors and explore our future through making.’
IN A 2 HOUR LIVE SESSION:
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Learn
Alexandra Iorgu will share stories on the Honourable Harvest, how to find clay and use it for ephemeral artwork. We will also learn how to process clay, and craft armatures out of found materials.
‘Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one way street to a sacred bond.”
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
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How to prepare for this workshop:
Look at local maps and research the local terrain
Go for hikes in your nearby ravine and notice and explore the different soils.
Try asking the land to take you where clay might be…! What do you find?
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Materials needed for clay processing:
Your clay will have to be bone dry in order to process it.
To process clay, we will require water, trays, tubs, strainers, old pillowcases, tape and markers for labels, optional plaster board for absorbing excess water
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