018: Good News for Stoke & Staffordshire
Starmer Visits Duchess China in Stoke, New Ceramics AI Company, Robbie's Art Experiment, Stoke Ware Goes Global, The Facts on St John's Church Hanley.
Good News 🎉
Keir Starmer Visits Stoke. Following Rishi Sunak’s trip to Churchill China in May, Keir Starmer followed suit and threw a pot with Keith Brymer Jones at Duchess China. Alongside conversations about energy costs in the ceramics industry and how a Labour government would bring those down, he stamped “Change” onto his mug and said “We need to make sure that Stoke is part of the future success of this country”
Ceramics Meets AI. Here’s a brand new type of ceramics manufacturer, Not Quite Past. You can design your own delftware-style tile using AI, your tiles are fired in a kiln in Staffordshire and delivered to your door. I’ve never come across anything like this and it’s an innovation in ceramics that’s leaves the mind wandering at what further invention could lie ahead?
Robbie Williams Explores Art. Robbie Williams has been exhibiting his art across Moco Museums in Amsterdam and Barcelona this year. “Pride and Self-Prejudice” and “Confessions of a Crowded Mind” centre around mental health and the overflowing chatter of an anxious mind. He’s received criticism from the art community frustrated with celebrities getting involved in art and fans who aren’t so impressed by his drawings. Yet his spiralling graphics filled with words and quotes let us inside his mind and, therefore, our own. In a world where people are interested (and coming to terms with) their mental health and neurodiversity this art has an appeal.
“I have felt like an interloper in the music world and now I feel like one in the art world. But that didn’t stop me filling stadiums and selling over a 100 million records combined. Imagine what I can achieve in my new medium.” The sceptics will say he’s cashing in on “The Robbie” brand. The critics will say he’s lost the plot, trying to find himself and his drawings are like those of a five year old. I say fair play to anyone who’s brave enough to create art.
Duchess China Tea Set on New Heights Podcast. Taylor Swift selling out her world tour will get all the headlines. For plate-turners though you’ll appreciate this clip of her boyfriend Jason Kelce sipping some fine English tea from some fine bone china. Here’s the Alice in Wonderland set by Duchess China in action getting rave reviews on social media.
KNOT HAVING IT ❌
In recent times, false information has spread online, accusing the new owners of St. John the Evangelist Church in Hanley of desecrating its graveyard and removing graves. This misinformation has even led to a petition being started against the owners of the church and a barrage of hatred against them, including videos and terrible comments on social media. Jenna Goodwin (The Red Haired Stokie) is setting the record straight on this topic that has lit up across Stoke-on-Trent social media. The story of the unused Church being converted into a Mosque has become very inflammatory online.
Editor’s Note
I should say that the general election is the biggest thing on my mind this week. I’m unsure about labelling politician visits to our region as “good news” - it feels biased. Truthfully Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak visiting just feels like, news. The good part is the publicity for Duchess and Churchill China.
Whatever happens in the general election, nothing will change in our region over night and the path to regeneration will still require us all to play a part. That’s why I am most excited about the artistic under-current running through the stories this week. Throwing pots, uses of AI, global celebrities drinking from Stoke ware and pop-stars experimenting with art - they all point to art and creativity as our foundation.
When I think about regeneration, art and creativity are at the beginning of that. A new renewable company, a digital gaming business, a new ceramics brand, a new singer, a new identity, a new chapter. It all begins with art. It all begins with a creative act.
Cheers,
James
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