We have recently been working with María Ramon Vasquez, a student at the Royal Collage of Art, to explore some of the ceramic artefacts that are found on the foreshore. Maria explains more about her project, and the beautiful pieces she has designed:

I am a 23 year-old product designer from Spain working toward completing my Masters in Design Products at the Royal College of Art. For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for design: the dynamic intersection of form and function, aesthetics and practicality. As a creative and innately curious person, I am always searching for new experiences and opportunities to learn, grow, and develop my knowledge in the world of design.

Over the past three months, I have been developing the original concept for my project, Second Life. Second Life aims to give fragments found on the shores of the River Thames a new life, integrating them into modern cups and plates, an homage to their original form and functions. I was fortunate enough to enter a collaboration with Valencia-based expert ceramicist, Juan Carlos Iniesta, in order to bring the project into fruition and together we developed a manufacturing process for the project

The shores of the River Thames are one of London’s greatest museums. Low tide exposes a realm of history; fragments colour the pebble beach waiting to tell the story of the inhabitants of London. Second Life propels these stories into a new era, giving artefacts a fresh start by transforming sherds found on the foreshore into modern and affordable tableware that can be used on a daily basis by users. New materials used in combination with traditional craft showcases the fusion between the past and the present, appealing to many different audiences.