AJ is work of art with new self-portrait

Great Pottery Throw Down contender AJ Simpson proved themselves to be a work of art by producing a stunning, abstract self-sculpture in the show’s quarter-final.

AJ rose to the challenge of not only portraying themselves in ceramic – but also building a sawdustfired kiln to create the eyecatching piece.

The graduate of Aberdeen’s Gray’s School Of Art won high praise from judges Keith Brymer Jones and Rich Miller, who both said the work was “wonderful”.

AJ, one of the five remaining potters in the popular Channel 4 series which aired last night, called their work Happy Place.

AJ took us to their “Happy Place”, which was inspired by nature and rocks found in the wilderness.

“I was trying to think of when I’m happiest and most content. That’s when I’m out exploring new places. So it’s based on rocks I found when was out and about exploring,” the Aberdeen creative said.

Happy Place depicted AJ in abstract, holding rocks to represent change and growth, with one hand around a knee to depict security and the other hand on the ground to show connection to the earth and the pottery they create.

The 21-year-old – the youngest contestant in the show – then draped combustibles ranging from seaweed to orange peel to

create intense colours when fired in the kiln. They and the other potters had to hand-build the brick kilns themselves, before firing their pieces.

Happy Place won high praise from Keith. “It’s incredibly well constructed. It’s of a definite style, almost like a brutalist sculpture,” said Keith. “The other thing that sticks out for me is this head. It is just wonderful, you can tell it is you and I love it.”

However, AJ was pipped to Potter Of The Week by fellow contestant Christine whose moving sculpture, Strength, based on her battle with breast cancer, left the judges and other contestants in tears.

But AJ found success, yet again, in the show’s second challenge, when the potters were asked to produce as many candlesticks as they could in 15 minutes, all equal in size, shape and style.

“That’s my fourth second-challenge win in a row… which is insane,” said AJ.

AJ made it safely through to next week’s semi-final, when the remaining four potters will be competing in Bathroom Week. The challenge will be to create fully-functional urinals to see who will be flush with success and make it to the final.

You can see AJ in The Great Pottery Throw Down on All 4.

FIRING INTO SEMI-FINAL: AJ with their self-sculpture, left, and brick kiln, centre.