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The Great Pottery Throw Down Series 8 - Exit Week Four
Category: Press Pack ArticleIn the fourth episode of The Great Pottery Throw Down, it was Raku week and the potters made bulbous vessels with naked raku decoration. Judges Rich Miller and Keith Brymer Jones decided who was potter of the week and who will leave the pottery.
At the end of the episode host Siobhán McSweeney announced that Steve was Potter of the Week, and sadly Hayley had to leave the pottery.
On hearing the news, Hayley said: ‘It’s fine…I am really sad to be going but I am also really grateful that I got the opportunity to come here. Ultimately I have loved every minute, and I would do it all again. You are a fantastic bunch, and I love you all!’
Here Hayley talks about her time in the Pottery:
There were some new themes in this series – is there any particular week you enjoyed or found tricky during your time on GPTD.
I was really unhappy on Raku week and I had been so looking forward to it– and even more so when I went out. I struggled with going. I was so sad not to get to some of the larger more sculptural challenges. I was also really moved by my fellow potters’ reactions to me being announced as the potter leaving….
Best and worst moment overall for you during the series?
Worst moment – not being able to pick up my Raku vessel with the tongs (inner meltdown)
Best moment – watching the judges play with my Ark animals and loose themselves in their inner child. Finding out about other Potters backgrounds and life’s, I think I formed strong friendships and shared many a laugh with all of them. I cried with laughter / full on belly laughs on many an occasion.
Do you think when you watch it back on television will there be parts that you completely missed because you were concentrating on your pottery.
Oh my God yes – I often didn’t even get a chance to drink the tea I was brought - I will enjoy seeing what others got up to.
What was the funniest moment that happened throughout the series, can be on or off set?
I was asked to do farmyard animal impressions by the crew as part of my Noah’s ark - my attempts were pretty rubbish! I managed to persuade Francesca to do a ‘fake’ Zebra impression, to share the load, which was absolutely brilliant and so funny - the judges were taken in asking if that was really what a zebra sounded like!
Would you encourage other amateur Potters out there to have a go on the series and why?
Absolutely it’s such an amazing and unique experience.
Will you make again anything from the series, when you are at home and have more time?
I think I’ll have a go at most of them at home. I’ll definitely have another go at horse hair Raku and I’ve already thrown much lighter bulbous pots!
What were you most nervous about the whole experience and did it turn out ok in the end?
I was very full of fear of failure but I recognize how debilitating that can be for some people and kept telling myself the feeling was my body’s way of letting me know I was stepping outside my comfort zone, and the possibilities were that I might achieve something great! I wanted to role model that it’s good to face fear of failure and I did that publicly.
Do you feel you have progressed now as a Potter?
I’m always progressing – my next pot is going to be my best! Being around such talent made me up my game and ideas – shame I did not manage to execute them to my best. Do it again and learn from mistakes.
How emotional were you when you had to leave, and how supportive was everyone?
Extremely – others were also emotional which made it harder to hold it together.
What will you take away from your experience of being on The Great Pottery Throw Down?
Brilliant friendships and a desire to do more of my own pottery – I want to continue to unleash my inner artist and get emotional reactions through the medium of clay. Facing your fear is ok, failing publicly is ok – I’m proud of myself and all my colleagues. I love being around new people and getting to know other potters – seeing other’s creations. I enjoyed the buzz.
What’s the biggest thing you have learned from being on the series?
You need to dedicate time to achieve – art is subjective – follow your dreams it’s not too late.
What would you like to make next and how big or small?
I’m currently enjoying practicing my throwing skills to make a large thrown pot.
What’s next for you in the pottery world?
I’m going to make the most of life’s opportunities and continue to inspire and teach others. I want to express my inner artist, values and beliefs through my work. If I can become successful as a potter and maintain my integrity I will be a very happy person.