British Ceramics Biennale

Each button on this banner was made by hand from bone china clay in Stoke-on-Trent, the centre for ceramics manufacture in the UK and includes a bone china violet or leaf. Two highly skilled bone china flower makers, who learned their trade working within the pottery industry, shared the process of making the intricate violet flowers and leaves. The makers could update them according to their own design. The buttons were made during workshops across Stoke-on-Trent, with women of all ages joining in to add their own individual pieces. In addition to making their own buttons, the Burslem Jubilee group sewed the banner and carried it with pride at PROCESSIONS in London.

"Very much enjoyed the workshops. Felt happy talking to women from different countries. Learn to make flowers."
Workshop participant.

"I never voted in my own country, I would feel happy to vote in the UK.”
Workshop participant.

The British Ceramics Biennial (BCB) launched in 2009 with a festival celebrating and showcasing contemporary ceramics from across the world. Set in Stoke-on-Trent – the heart of the UK ceramics industry, the festival took place in established venues and non-traditional spaces across the city. It returned in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017 and is back in 2019 for the sixth time. Over the ten years, BCB has built up a programme of projects of artists’ residencies, fellowships, commissions, education and enterprise projects running year round.