Made in the Moment

The public and private studio spaces are designed to accommodate a creative space for printing and japanning. Japanning is a finishing process developed to imitate East Asian lacquerware that had intricate ornamental designs painted on top of it. The process came about due to its rise in popularity in the late 17th century and was soon after modernised to be used industrially. Japanning was used to finish anything that could be displayed within a home, but most commonly on tools such as hand planes and sewing machines.

Within Usk, tin trays, planters and coal boxes were japanned through an adapted technique known as Pontypool Japan which utilised burnt Umber. Usk became known for its high quality Japanware produced in 1860 on the main high street. Within my project japanning will used to prime metal sheets that can then be painted or printed on and afterwards displayed in temporary exhibitions within the workshop or town itself. As japanning provides a corrosion and weather resistant finish, the pieces can be shown in outdoor spaces with minimal damage from the environment of South Wales.

Displaying the work within the town will help to drive the local community together through the discussion of the artwork and production of it. The proposal on the site renovates the existing structure that was formerly a train work shed and extends the axis created by the rail track that was previously there. Each entrance at either end matches the 4.2m x 4.2m openings of the old workshop. This axis forms the long and wide central walkway and doubles as a space for temporary exhibitions. The smaller building on the south-east of the site acts as a reception and retail space with its exit placing the visitor in line with the axis of the main building. Studios in the east wing allow skilled workers to carry out japanning, restoring old pieces to their former beauty. In the central section the café and seating area sits off the walkway spilling outside. On the west side printing rooms and a public studio/teaching space completes the project creating a space for the local community to come together, allowing beginner or experienced artists to express their creativity.