The Endless Orchard

Traditional domestic apple picking employed the use of a large fabric sheet, catching the falling apples. Despite the farm having many apple trees at their disposal, many of the apples go to waste and are left for nature. Within the theme of harvest our group decided the object created should provide a vessel for the apples to be celebrated. The form will embody the ritual of a harvest, from the growth of the apples to the end of the labourer’s season. Fabric will be suspended from the branches; slip cast will then be poured taking the shape of the tree. Each piece will be born from the same process but produce a unique outcome. 

At Grymsdyke Farm, gathering people around the kitchen table is integral. With the harvest theme in mind, we wanted the vessel's skin to reflect this ritual. To capture the farm's essence, we gathered colleagues, enjoyed drinks and roasted marshmallows while our pottery pieces absorbed texture and colour from the harvest waste and fresh ingredients.

Pit firing, like the tree hanging process, introduced chance and endless possibilities through natural creation.

The project aimed to evoke an "Endless Orchard," encompassing the apple tree and its surroundings. The "Cast & Re-Cast" concept was central to the theme. The vessels interacted with each other and could stand alone as unique items. Representing Grymsdyke Farm's apple trees, each vessel possessed a distinct identity. Our vision was for the vessels to be recast each harvest season, utilising waste from the feast. This ongoing process would create a collection linked to specific trees or years, forming an endless connection between the vessels and the orchard.