Great Pottery Throw Down contender AJ Simpson proved themselves to be a work of art by producing a stunning, abstract self-sculpture in the show’s quarter-final.
AJ rose to the challenge of not only portraying themselves in ceramic – but also building a sawdust-fired kiln to create the eye-catching piece.
The Gray’s School Of Art graduate won high praise from judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller, who both said the work was “wonderful”.
AJ, one of the five remaining potters in the popular Channel 4 series which aired on Sunday night, called their work Happy Place.
AJ took us to their ‘Happy Place’, which was inspired by nature and rocks found in the wilderness. #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/k8pu1lx2S9
— The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) February 20, 2022
“I was trying to think of when I’m happiest and most content. That’s when I’m out exploring new places. So it’s based on rocks I found when was out and about exploring,” they said.
Happy Place showed AJ’s connection to the earth and pottery
“It’s kind of the concept of becoming part of the environment as well, and observing the environment around you.”
Happy Place depicted AJ in abstract, holding rocks to represent change and growth, with one hand around a knee to depict security and the other hand on the ground to show their connection to the earth and the pottery they create.
The 21-year-old – the youngest contestant in the show – then draped combustibles ranging from seaweed to orange peel to create intense colours when fired in the kiln.
They and the other potters had to hand-build the brick kilns themselves, before firing their pieces.
As the flames rose on their kiln, AJ said: “It does feel a bit weird burning an effigy of myself.”
AJ feeling the pressure after two Potter Of The Week wins
AJ has been Potter Of The Week twice before and was asked by Great Pottery Throw Down host Siobhan McSweeney if they were feeling the pressure.
“I think so, there’s an expectation of something spectacular. The pressure is on,” said AJ.
Happy Place won high praise from both Keith and Rich.
“It’s incredibly well constructed. It’s of a definite style, almost like a brutalist sculpture,” said Keith. “The other thing that sticks out for me is this head. It is just wonderful, you can tell it is you and I love it.”
Rich told AJ: “It is abstract and yet very human and very, very you. It works so well.”
How did AJ get on in The Great Pottery Throw Down?
However, AJ was pipped to Potter Of The Week by fellow contestant Christine whose moving sculpture, Strength, based on her battle with breast cancer, left the judges and other contestants in tears.
But AJ found success, yet again, in the show’s second challenge, when the potters were asked to produce as many candlesticks as they could in 15 minutes, all equal in size, shape and style.
AJ'S DONE IT AGAIN! #potterythrowdown pic.twitter.com/1w2P1LMVT6
— The Great Pottery Throw Down (@PotteryThrow) February 20, 2022
“That’s my fourth-second challenge win in a row… which is insane”, said AJ.
AJ made it safely through to next week’s semi-final, when the remaining four potters will be competing in Bathroom Week. The challenge will be to create fully-functional urinals to see who will be flush with success and make it to the final.
You can follow see AJ in The Great Pottery Throw Down on All 4.
