Middleport Pottery Wall Painting (Fresco secco) 2014

In May, 2014, the Prince’s Regeneration Trust commissioned me to re-design and paint the Middleport Pottery café walls. The design is painted onto lime wash walls with a mineral paint, this will form a chemical bond to the lime wash and soak into the wall without loss of colour.  This use of traditional materials is in keeping with the PRT restoration plan for the whole site. Historically, Willow Pattern was printed in blue, a paler blue is used for the Asiatic Pheasant pattern. On the Willow Wall I also incorporated Arden and Calico/Calico Accent patterns. 

As I began to draw, the Willow Pattern sections of the painting became a symbol to me of the new life of Middleport Pottery representing historic and contemporary connections. The Mandarin’s House related to the newly renovated Burleigh buildings. The bridge and the boat related to the canal directly outside the café door and the ‘island’ began to represent the other side of the canal. On many of the days I was painting, the sun was shining and I was able to have my lunch just outside by the canal. I thought of the history and the future of the pottery and how others would soon enjoy this experience.

This has been a particularly exciting commission and it has been a privilege to be part of this restoration project and paint the Middleport Pottery Wall Painting.

Joyce Iwaszko

Curriculum Leader for Level 2 Art and Design at NULC
June 2014

Please see video below for further information about the regeneration of Middleport Pottery by the Prince's Regeneration Trust.