Description
We are delighted to welcome Richard Walker of Watergild Studios to West Street Potters for a unique workshop in the art of Kintsugi.
Kintsugi — meaning “golden joinery” — began in Japan over 500 years ago. Rather than concealing cracks or disguising damage, this beautiful tradition honours repair. A broken clay, porcelain, or glass object is restored in a way that celebrates its history, revealing the fracture as part of its life story.
At a time when we are becoming increasingly conscious of sustainability and care for the world around us, this philosophy feels especially relevant. Kintsugi invites us to value restoration over replacement and to find beauty in resilience. It is particularly meaningful for those who create pottery and clay pieces, where there are no longer “failed” or broken kiln firings — only opportunities for exploration and transformation.
In this workshop, with Richard Walker of Watergild Studios, you will explore contemporary Kintsugi techniques using your own broken items. You are welcome to bring a cracked, chipped, or shattered vessels to repair — or, if you prefer, you may intentionally break a piece during the class to experience the full transformation.
Cracks, gaps, and chips are repaired and highlighted with genuine gold leaf, turning what was once considered a flaw into a luminous design feature. Vases, plates, bowls, and other ceramic or glass objects can all be explored.
We will work with modern, water-based materials alongside specialist adhesives. Repairs may be finished in either pure yellow gold or a softer champagne gold, according to your preference. All materials are provided, though you are encouraged to bring your own broken piece if you wish.
Once you have experienced the techniques, you will be encouraged to experiment further within your own creative practice. Kintsugi is not limited to pottery — consider how wood, stone, glass, or even metal might respond to these ideas. Break rules as well as objects. Explore. Reimagine.
Artist Biography
Richard Walker studied gilding at the University of Portsmouth, England. With over twenty-five years of professional gilding experience — and nearly twenty years of teaching — he has developed an international reputation working with leading artists, framers, furniture designers, interior designers, and museums.
Richard is recognised for creating innovative approaches to both traditional and contemporary gilding techniques, continually expanding the possibilities of surface and ornament.
He teaches regularly at respected institutions worldwide, including the Chippendale International School of Furniture, the Makers Society in Dubai, the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation in Fujairah, and S.O.G. USA. His work includes consultation, restoration, contemporary development, and specialist gilding instruction across a wide range of disciplines.
Programme for the day
0915 Attendees arrive
0930 Talk & demonstration (including other gilding techniques that can be applied using sea glass, wood, mother of pearl etc and creating Verdigris finishes
Practical session
1300 – 1345 Lunch (available at Hobo or people can bring own but no eating in the workshop)
1345 – 1630 Taught Practical Session
Please bring:
- Students may bring as many pieces as they like. You won’t necessarily finish them all but will help if you have questions. If people have missing pieces, that can be explored as well, so there really is nothing that can’t be fixed or mended. All ceramics from this point on, no matter the condition they come out of the kiln in can be developed.
Cost: £120 – 10 Spaces Only
Non refundable
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