In early 2017, Helen Love was asked by Aberdeen Art Gallery to make a library of ceramic glaze test tiles for the wall of their applied arts exhibition.

In response, Helen challenged herself to make the brightest spectrum possible using 8 common metal oxides and no commercial stains. There followed a frenzy of glaze testing of over 1,500 tiles to get to the final curated library of 456 tiles.

Two versions of this glaze library of test tiles can be viewed in person. One is on the wall of the ceramics workshop at Grays School of Art where all the glaze tests were mixed in their glaze lab and fired in their kilns. The other is on display to the public in Gallery 5 ‘Crafting Colour’ of Aberdeen Art Gallery.

As a ceramic technician working daily with students, Helen saw the potential to use the testing data she recorded for a wider audience. She approached Design and Code to design and build a digital, globally accessible library that could act as a resource for ceramicists and artists around the world. This resource is due to be launched early in 2020.

“Hopefully this teaching tool will draw people into the world of glazing and they will begin to understand the chemistry and experiment themselves.”

Helen Love, Ceramic Technician at Gray’s School of Art

To raise awareness of the project, Design and Code threw a party, ‘Show Some Love’, inviting creatives, makers, artists, students and local businesses to learn about the project. The Glaze Spectrum was exhibited at the event so everyone could see and touch the test tiles.

“We were thrilled when Helen asked us to collaborate with her on the project. The Aberdeen creative scene is blossoming — there’s so much happening right now so we’re delighted to be able to contribute and help share this valuable resource.”

Colin Leonard, Founder and Director at Design and Code

You can still support the project via Go Fund Me.

If you would like to find out more about Helen Love’s Glaze Spectrum project follow the instagram page @glazespectrum.