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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Research ceramic ideas and techniques
  2. Evaluate and select ceramic techniques for refinement
  3. Determine and establish specific safety requirements for ceramics work
  4. Consolidate ceramic techniques to professional level
  5. Evaluate own ceramic technique

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to engage with others about the technical and conceptual aspects of ceramics work

critical thinking and analytical skills to

evaluate and make judgements about relationships between ceramic technique effects and ideas

make critical evaluations of own ceramic technique

make critical evaluations of research findings

initiative and enterprise skills to identify and act on opportunities for own practice presented by research and experimentation

learning skills to develop and refine own skills to a professional practice standard

literacy skills to analyse complex and varied information about ceramic technique

problemsolving skills to identify and resolve technical and conceptual issues in ceramic work

selfmanagement and planning skills to create a coherent body of ceramic work

technical skills to show command of chosen ceramic techniques at a professional level

technology skills to use the internet as a research tool

Required knowledge

relationship between ceramic technique and particular effects and ideas in the work of other artists and in the context of own practice

extended range of information sources that support research in ceramics practice

cultural sociological philosophical aesthetic political and commercial influences on ceramic technique in historical and contemporary contexts

professional development opportunities for artists seeking to develop a ceramics practice

elements and principles of design and how they may be used, adapted and challenged in the creation of work

intellectual property issues and legislation associated with ceramics as a professional practice

sustainability issues for the professional operation of a ceramics practice

OHS requirements for the setup and operation of a professional work space for ceramics work

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

evolve and refine ceramic technique through a demonstrated process of experimentation

develop individual style in own work

produce a coherent body of professional ceramic work that shows the use of welldeveloped ceramic technique

research ceramic technique in the broader context of other artwork and artists

use safe and sustainable work practices

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

a safe ceramics work space

materials tools and equipment used to produce ceramic work

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

evaluation of ceramic technique within a body of work produced by the candidate

evaluation of processes used by the candidate to evolve and refine ceramic technique

evaluation of the work documentation

direct observation of work in progress including exploration of and experimentation with techniques

questioning and discussion about candidates intentions and the work outcome

review of portfolios of evidence

review of thirdparty reports from experienced practitioners

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

CUVPRPA Realise a body of creative work

CUVPRP501A Realise a body of creative work.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ceramic techniques may include:

applications of materials other than plaster to create moulds, templates and patterns

applied and subtractive surface treatments, including:

engraving, carving, incising and piercing

glazing

sprigging, slip decoration and applied colour

block and case moulds for casting production

die making for extruders

handbuilding techniques, including pinch, coil, slab construction and extrusions

mould-making techniques

mould and profile making for jigger jolley machine

mould making for pressed tiles

slip-casting techniques

throwing techniques

use of a variety of materials as supports, such as:

armatures

reinforcement

use of the following tools and equipment:

kilns: gas, electric and raku

jigger jolley machine with associated fittings

ram press with associated fittings

rasps, chisels and saws for forming templates, models and moulds.

Technical effects may include:

combination of clay bodies and other materials

other effects, such as laminated clay, including :

laminated incompatible bodies

two or more laminated compatible stained bodies

surface treatments specific to ceramics, such as:

alternative non-ceramic surface finishes, such as wax, paint and patina

burnishing

erosion techniques, including:

acid etching

sandblasting

water etching

other surface applications, including:

fumed finishes from pit firing and post raku firing reduction

glazing

high-fire reduction finishes

masking techniques on green ware, biscuit ware and glost ware

multiple layering of different surface treatments

on-glaze enamels

reduced lustres

slip decorating, such as slip trail, sgraffito, inlay and paper resist

water erosion.

Intellectual property requirements may relate to:

copyright

design licensing regulations

form of acknowledgement or credit

moral rights

protocols for the adaptation of work by others

trademarks.

Opportunities may relate to:

architectural ceramics, including tiles, mosaics and murals

ceramic installation, including use of fired and/or non-fired clay

commercially viable (limited production) tableware, vessels and sculptures

communication of ideas

large scale sculptural work incorporating mixed media in constructions and assemblages

large thrown, handbuilt or slipcast vessels or sculptural forms

personal affinity with particular techniques

potential for combining techniques

potential for interactions between technique and media

themes in work

wearable objects.

Limitations and constraints may relate to:

availability of materials

capacity of technique to deliver required effect

finances

location and geography

own interaction with technique

resources

time.

Refinement may relate to:

ability to use selected techniques with confidence

ongoing demonstration of development of technique

use of selected techniques in a body of professional work.

Safe work practices may include:

completing material safety data sheets (MSDS)

correct disposal of waste materials

dust and fume extraction

ergonomic safety

managing risk

reporting accidents and incidents

safely using tools and equipment

using clearly designated wet and dry areas

using personal protective equipment (PPE).

Technical problems may include:

limitations of own technical skill required for:

forming techniques

glaze application techniques

surface design and decorating techniques

limited availability of space for:

displaying fired results

producing work, including making, glazing and firing

storing work in progress, whether damp or dry

other limitations, such as:

equipment and machinery breakdown, such as kiln element failure, faulty or broken equipment, and no fuel

limited kiln capacity to allow for work to be fired as required

skills and knowledge required for selected firing processes

unavailability of kilns suitable for large work.

Coherent body of ceramic work is:

conceptually resolved

documented in terms of its development

subject to critical feedback by others

technically resolved

thematically connected.

Ways in which technique may be further developed may include:

collaboration

further study

intensive workshops

mentored guidance

new projects.