Re-evaluating Intangible Cultural Heritage in the UK Ceramic Industry

Description:
This symposium was organised by Prof. Neil Brownsword and the Ceramic Cultures, Practices and Debates Research Group at Staffordshire University in partnership with the Heritage Crafts Association. It launched the results of the 2021 Radcliffe Red List of Endangered Crafts survey (https://www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/craft/industrial-pottery/) concerning the current viability of traditional skills in the UK's ceramic industry. The symposium aims were to develop a course of action to preserve and protect knowledge and skills pertaining to the ceramic industry. It is hoped that this event will introduce new ways of valuing industrial ceramics skills that are not influenced by the immutable heritage discourse of experts, by facilitating those that were and are still involved in the industry to articulate the value of their own heritage.

The symposium was funded by the Pilgrim Trust and supported by Staffordshire University, Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, and British Ceramics Biennial.

Abstract
Prof. Neil Brownsword: Beyond Preservation
Global economics and advances in automation technology have radically transformed the landscape of the UK’s ceramic industry in recent decades. Whilst these transitions have facilitated greater productivity, once commonplace skills associated with ceramic manufacture have now been displaced, threatening the continuation of much traditional knowledge. Should such practices, deemed outmoded or economically unviable for contemporary ceramic production be simply relegated to history or the trails of heritage tourism? What value is there in safeguarding this knowledge for the future? How can traditional practices be revived through new modes of thinking and creativity in a digital age?

This symposium builds upon these questions, and highlights specialist skills at significant risk of being lost from the industry, surveyed through recent research for the Heritage Craft Association’s Red List of Endangered Crafts. Making particular reference to North Staffordshire’s intangible cultural heritage*, scholars together with former employees and current representatives from the ceramics industry, will explore a variety of perspectives concerning a re-evaluation of the industrial crafts and their revitalisation through contemporary exchange and adaptation.

Although the symposium will be taking place within a cultural event, it will discuss ways to connect with the local community beyond cultural institutions, so that they can develop, engage and participate in ‘their’ intangible heritage. It is hoped that this event will introduce new ways of valuing industrial ceramics skills that are not influenced by the immutable heritage discourse of experts, by facilitating those that were and are still involved in the industry to articulate the value of their own heritage.

*UNESCO define intangible cultural heritage as practices, representations, expressions, knowledge or skills that remain integral to a place’s cultural heritage. In 2003, UNESCO adopted a Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, including ‘traditional craftsmanship’. It stated: “Any efforts to safeguard traditional craftsmanship must focus not on preserving craft objects – no matter how beautiful, precious, rare or important they might be – but on creating conditions that will encourage artisans to continue to produce crafts of all kinds, and to transmit their skills and knowledge to others.” 178 countries have signed up to the convention, effectively making Intangible Cultural Heritage part of their cultural policy. Unfortunately, the UK is not one of them.