28.11.21 - Digging and Processing My Own Clay

 

This is a section of the Erewash river which can be accessed through Long Eaton park, which is where I looked for clay because my research into the geological structure of Nottingham indicated this would be a good location. This particular section did not have any clay that I could reach - I noticed the embankment on the other side had a patch of slightly redder earth which suggested clay, however there was no access across, so we walked further along.

Here is where I noticed another change in the earth's colouration and luckily this time it was in an accessible place - you can see in the image that towards the water there is a paler section of mud with a slight redness that suggests iron oxide, which I discovered is present in clay through my research. After digging the initial layer of dirt off I could identify straight away that we had found clay, and I started collecting some of the reddish stuff first. Beneath that was a very smooth grey clay, like what you might find in a shop, so I collected plenty in a separate bag from the red to compare them later.

Me holding a piece of clay straight from the embankment.

When I got the clay home I had to start processing it to make it clean and useable. I took small chunks at a time and worked them in my hands, adding some water to make it more malleable, and removing any organic matter like plant roots and twigs.

I processed the grey clay and the redder clay separately so I could see what difference the iron content makes.

The iron-rich clay is on the right, it is much browner in colour than the other and it leaves a yellowish tint on my hands, it was also slightly drier and more crumbly before processing.

With all the leftover pieces, I left them to dry out over night to try a processing method I found during my research which involves sieving and then rehydrating the clay. 

I had to break the pieces down as much as I manually could and then grind it through the sieve until I had a fine powder-like substance which was very soft to the touch. Next I added small amounts of water at a time and combined it together to make a really sticky clay which will need to dry slightly before I can shape it. 

I found the process of digging and processing clay really fulfilling, it made me think about the journey that materials take from their original form to a piece of art or furniture, which turns out can be very convoluted - not only does it travel a long way but it also undergoes a total transformation. It is something we don't really consider as consumers, and I think this disconnection is an interesting topic in relation to Newstead Abbey and the mahogany that was felled by enslaved people in the Caribbean to make fancy pieces of furniture for rich English people. I think whatever I decide to make with my clay, there will always be this underlying message about journey and process, physical labour and the disconnect of the consumer.