Great Pottery Throw Down 6x6
meet the 2023 contestants:
Caitlin
Age: 23
From: Glasgow
Profession: medical student
Instagram: https://instagram.com/potsfromscots
Medical student Caitlin may spend most of her time on Dundee's hospital wards but outside of work, she's at her clay, at the gym or practising yoga. Caitlin took up pottery during the pandemic and learned from her father who is a ceramicist. Her pottery is modern and contemporary, with a fusion of her Dad's retro-inspired style and her mum's Chinese heritage. She likes to bring a bit of cheekiness into her ceramics, making 'boob' mugs and decoration that reflects her light-hearted personality.
Christophe
Age: 36
From: London
Profession: architect
Instagram: https://instagram.com/christophe_ceramics
Originally from France, Christophe moved to the UK eight years ago and found a home. When he's not designing, Christophe is at his local swimming pool, coaching the team or pole dancing. He took up pottery two years ago and uses it to get away from the stresses of work - although his job does come in handy when constructing with clay.
Derek
Age: 57
From: Tunbridge Wells
Profession: journalist/editor
Instagram: https://instagram.com/derek.harbinson
Belfast-born Derek took up pottery after his wife bought him a course six years ago and he's never looked back. Having previously worked on lads mags and editorial projects, Derek now lives in Tunbridge Wells but dreams of a house in the country with a pottery studio. He's a lover of all things mid-century and has a passion for German pottery.
Fabiola
Age: 52
From: London
Profession: nanny
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fabsceramics
Fabiola is a nanny who is now firmly settled in London after moving from Colombia. Recently graduating from The Open University with a degree in Business Management, Fabiola has thrown herself into pottery, which has become a fundamental part of her life after her lupus diagnosis five years ago. She now has a potting shed at the bottom of her garden with a pottery wheel that her husband bought her.
Fliss
Age: 24
From: London
Profession: oil painter
Instagram: https://instagram.com/felicitycressidaceramics
Fine Art graduate Fliss is originally from Surrey but now lives in London, working as an oil painter and musician. She's the youngest of four siblings in a close-knit family and when she's not potting or painting, she's surfing and paddle boarding.
George
Age: 27
From: Hampshire
Profession: junior doctor
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lodgepots
Based in Hampshire, George has been a junior doctor for two years and currently works in obstetrics and gynaecology. He wants to specialise in urology and jokes that it all sounds a bit "below the belt". Outside of work and pottery, George loves beekeeping, a hobby which has taken him to Zanzibar and New Zealand. He took up pottery in his final year of medical school after trying it out in primary school, with the art becoming an escape after a long day at work.
Helen
Age: 65
From: Kent
Profession: retired headteacher
Instagram: https://instagram.com/helenbaxterceramics
Former headteacher Helen retired in 2016 after a career in education, including six years in the Bahamas. She now lives in Kent near the sea and spends her time seeing friends, travelling and potting. She's a trained oboist, so music is a large part of her life but she also loves mudlarking and beachcombing.
James
Age: 44
From: Banbury
Profession: art teacher
Instagram: https://instagram.com/james_stead_ceramics
Lancashire-born James grew up with a draftsman dad and a seamstress mum, who he credits his creativity with. He now lives in Banbury and became an art teacher after studying at art college.
Jon
Age: 46
From: Corsham
Profession: chartered structural engineer
Instagram: https://instagram.com/roynon_ceramics
Being a chartered structural engineer, Jon isn't afraid to be ambitious with his pots and has previously used 3D printed tools to make his creations. Outside of his career, he's a keen archer, having practised the sport for 30 years. He lives in Corsham with his wife, their two boys and their two ducks.
Loïs
Age: 36
From: Ramsgate, Kent
Profession: teacher turned jewellery designer
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lois.gunn
After many years as a teacher, Loïs decided to make a career change and enter the world of jewellery design. Based in Kent, Loïs dabbled in pottery before becoming a mum and returned to it properly a few years ago, bringing her love of ancient cultures, the sea and nature into many of her pots.
Rebecca
Age: 32
From: Scarborough
Profession: primary school and SEN teacher
Instagram: https://instagram.com/rebeccanorris.designs
Rebecca is a primary and SEN teacher who lived in Australia for five years before settling in 'Scarbados'. After experiencing health problems a few years ago, she used pottery as an escape and is mostly self-taught. Being a lover of colours, perhaps Rebecca will be bringing some of that brightness to her pottery.
Vithu
Age: 29
From: Manchester
Profession: bartender/waiter
Vithu is a bartender and waiter from Manchester with a love of bouldering and gymnastics outside of the pottery world. He also has a black belt in karate. He studied ceramics in Cardiff and found something special in pottery. When it comes to his creations, he finds inspiration in his Sri Lankan and Mancunian heritage.
Next time, the potters put their decorative dexterity to the test with table lamps.
Sunday 12th February at 7.45pm on @Channel4. #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/9edbpJtVfz
- The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) February 5, 2023
6x6
It's an illuminating week, as the potters make an embossed table light, before guest judge, fashion and lifestyle designer Henry Holland, really tests their decadent design skills.
main make: bulbous table lamp with continuous 3D relief of favorite view
who made what: [Spoiler (click to open)]
Caitlin - Aberdeen harbor with cottages
Derek - Giant's Causeway
George - Cornish beach scene with lighthouse
Helen - Dungeness skyline
James - woodland walk
Jon - Clifton suspension bridge in Bristol and hot air balloons
Loïs - Thanet seaside sunset
spot test: Venetian masks
[Spoiler (click to open)]
rankings:
1 -Loïs
2 - James (dethroned after five consecutive wins)
3 - Helen
4 - Caitlin
5 - Jon
6 - George
7 - Derek
The winning mask
potter of the week: [Spoiler (click to open)] Jon
Jon's gurt lush Bristol skyline lamp gets him Potter of the Week! #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/wDC6kYEiTt
- The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) February 12, 2023
eliminated: [Spoiler (click to open)] George
. @RichMillerPots and his Venetian mask is the video we never knew we needed. #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/etqRxKWZYA
- The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) February 12, 2023
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Poll