Mirka Golden-Hann - Artist in Ceramics.

I was born in the former Czechoslovakia and came to live in England in Summer 1993.
In July 1999 I graduated from the University of Westminster (Harrow campus) as BA (Hons) Workshop ceramics. In August 1999 I received the ‘best student’ award at Hatfield House pottery festival – Art in Clay. In summer 2000 I have finished setting up my first pottery studio and building an out-door Salt-glaze kiln together with former fellow student Mr. Joseph Lynch.
Since then I am exhibiting in various Galleries around the country, amongst other events I took part in 2002 and 2003 Art in Action and an international Salt-glaze exhibition in Germany. You can read about my work in the Salt-Glaze book by R. Cochrane.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT
The prerequisite of learning and progressing is an open mind, everything and everyone is a potential influence.
The more I worked with clay the more I noticed that it is not just the skill that creates it is mainly the personality. My work is a reflection of myself at this point in my creative life.

Throwing, distorting and assembling is the way I create my forms. I like to mark and decorate the clay as I throw, using the wheel as a part of the decorating process. I use liquid clays (slips) on top of soft clay, because the process of integrating the decoration with the making is very important for me.

The technique of Salt firing fits very well with my work philosophy. With Salt glaze
there is an element of unpredictability. The kiln itself plays a major role in the forming of the work.
I like to capture the energy of freshly thrown clay; Salt firing helps me to fulfil this objective.

MA Studies
During my MA studies I have undertaken wide-ranging research into colour theory and new colour possibilities in salt-glaze.  My final project ‘a ceramic installation’ is intended to challenge preconceived images of salt-glaze and contribute to the discourse on colour in ceramics.

Training:
1993-1995 – Private training – Kate King, Cambridge
1995-Sep 1996 – Private training - Julie Ayton, Salisbury
Sep 1996 – Jul 1999: University of Westminster, Harrow Campus, graduated with BA(Hons) Ceramics
2000 - C&G 7307 Teacher Training Certificate stage 1
Nov 2005 – C&G Level 1 certificate for IT users
Currently studying at Bath Spa University for MA

Selected Exhibitions:
23rd- 27th Jun 1999: University of Westminster – Harrow – BA (Hons) Ceramics
Degree show.
Dec 2000 and 2001: Christmas Exhibition at Fisherton Mill, Salisbury
Jan’00 – May ’00: Exhibition of the Wiltshire Potters – Devizes Museum
Nov 2000 – Farnham Pottery Festival
Nov – Dec 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004 – Exhibiting at Bettles Gallery, Ringwood
April-May 2000 – Salt and soda exhibition at the New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham
August 1999, 2000 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.2005 - National Ceramics Festival at Hatfield House
Summer 2002 –Joint Exhibition with J. Lynch at Dorset Gallery, Wareham
July 2002, 2003 – Art in Action
Feb - Sept 2002 – International Salt glaze exhibition – Koblenz, Germany
Jun 2003,2004,2005 – Project Workshops, Summer exhibition
Sept 2003, 2004 - Potfest Southwest
March – May 2005 – Salt and Soda exhibition at Rufford Craft Centre
Sept 2004 - Figurative ceramics exhibition – Czech Republic
June 2006 & 2007 Earth and Fire, Rufford Country Park

Galleries currently supplied:
Bluestone Gallery, Devizes
The Ark, Chester
Pyramid Gallery, York
Walford Mill, Wimborne
New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham

Teaching:
Salisbury College p/t – Pottery evening classes and work with local groups since Sep 1999
Visiting lecturer – University of Westminster - 2000 – 2006 – Throwing tuition, Lecturing in Salt-Glaze and Professional Practice
Salisbury Arts Centre – Pottery and art classes for various age groups since Sept 2005
Art in Action – Throwing tuition – July 2007, 2008
Work with reception class children at Bemerton St. John’s CE School – sculpted Nativity – 2005

After school pottery club – Bemerton St. John’s CE School 2005
Urchfont Manor College – various residential courses since 2001 -2004
Organising Throwing tuition at the Art in Clay – Hatfield House 2002 – 2007
Throwing classes for children in Poole, Dorset - summer 2000 and 2001
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – family learning – workshops with Bangladeshi families 2001 and 2002
Workers Educational Association – pottery sessions for adults and art workshops with the homeless
Private tuition

Awards, Grants and Funding:
Best student 1999; received at Hatfield House Art in Clay.
Southern Arts Setting up Grant – 2000
Southern Arts Investment in individuals Grant -2002
South Wiltshire Economic Partnership Business Development Grant – Jun 2000 and Jul 2002
Princes Youth Business Trust Funding and Business Mentoring Scheme– July 2000
David Canter Memorial Fund – Sept 2000
Arts and Humanities Research Council funding – 2007 – Maintenance and Tuition fees Grant to fund MA study at the Bath Spa University.

Publications:
Craftsman Magazine – Oct 1999 (issue 99) article ‘Ceramics of the Future’ article about my practice
Contributed to ‘Salt Glaze’ – by Rosemary Cochrane, book published in January 2002
Ceramic Review – The Gallery page issues183 and 193
Salzbrand Keramik 2002, 2006 – Catalogues of an international Salt Glaze exhibition in Germany
Craftsman Magazine – Jan 2003 author of ‘Checking the Czechs’ article
Craftsman Magazine – Nov 2003 author of ‘Project Workshops’ article
Ceramic Review – Dec 2004 author of ‘Keramika Kunstat’ article
Keramika a Sklo - Czech Magazine – 2005 – Ceska v Zemi za Kanalem – article about my pracitce
Craftsman Magazine - Aug 05 author of ‘The Journeyman’ article
Craftsman Magazine – Jan 07 author of ‘Word perfect’ article

Publication in progress:
Recently contributed to books under publication ‘ Slip Decorating Techniques’ by John Matheson and to ‘New Ceramic Techniques’ by Linda Bloomfield