What’s steeping in the Teapot…?
In this body of work, I am looking at the teapot as an object made up of multiple different components; when combined, they form a single functional object that serves a specific function. Working within the parameters of making a “teapot,” I know there are these different parts that I don’t think about how they function regarding the overall object. My methodology in making these teapots goes as follows: start with the initial body form (in Rhino or a physical model), pull templates and transfer to copper, form each copper panel, weld them together, and the other components are made in response to that initial body form (CNC milling, casting, etc.). Having not completely figured out how the form will look in the end is challenging in that learning through the process of making and responding in the moment forces this new dialogue to occur where ambiguity is present.
Below is the first teapot I made as the final project for the Metal Forming class I took back in the spring semester of 2022 and eventually finished later in the fall. Streamliner Teapot is made using a found handle (side mirror), casting the aluminum base, hand forming copper pieces and TIG welding them, and powder coating the copper components.
Here is the second teapot, Untitled (Green Teapot), which I have made to explore further the idea of making a teapot. This teapot is made from copper panels, a CNC milled base, a cast lid handle, a CNC milled handle and powder coat, and nuts and bolts.
The Roadrunner Teapot was my first attempt at TIG welding one of these teapot forms together. This teapot is made from a series of copper panels, a milled base/ handle, a fabricated lid, a powder coat, and nuts and bolts.
All of the photography courtesy of Joshua White