Pedro Kalache Ceramics

Lauriston Lodge Sheltered Housing Scheme & Emmanuel Primary School
Ceramic Tile-Making Project

In 2007, we held three days of intergenerational workshops at Lauriston Lodge Sheltered Housing, working towards the creation of an artwork to celebrate our community. Starting off, we had little idea where it would take us, but we taught the juniors about sheltered housing, ageing and its implications, which prompted a lot of question and discussion. Then we ran small and large group workshops where juniors and seniors were encouraged to get to know each other and discuss backgrounds, cultures, and family. With Pedro’s encouragement, people expressed themselves through drawing, writing, poetry, and brought items of sentimental value which they felt represented their backgrounds for discussion and inclusion. It was eventually decided to create a Tree of Life tiled artwork for our garden.

The project went extremely well, with people obviously enjoying and valuing each others company. Seniors found it stimulating to relate life experiences and have such an interested audience, while Juniors enjoyed meeting elderly people. A number spoke of not having met their own grandparents. Juniors also spoke of “learning what its like to feel old” and “enjoying making friends with people from different age groups”. All spoke of realising the importance of family and community. Pedro worked with everybody with care and sensitivity. It was clear that people understood that he was genuinely interested in them and shared appropriately. He ensured that everybody felt involved and that credit was given where due. The work was very much the “creation” of all involved, which Pedro then somehow transformed into a very attractive artwork.

I would say that the work, which was completed over six months ago now, generally encouraged a sense of inclusion and our Tree of Life still feels alive in our garden. Parents of juniors involved have visited since and some wish to maintain ongoing contact. I often see tenants proudly bringing family members or friends outdoors to show them the work, or I find workers lost in thought silently contemplating it all.

Our artwork comprising faces, words, and memorabilia is a profound and constant reminder of each other. Two friends have sadly since passed away but their smiling faces remain. We would all agree that our little community of people from such diverse backgrounds, and their enjoyment of each other, has been immortalised beautifully.

Thank you Pedro!

Rosie McBride
Lauriston Lodge Estate Manager

A group of 16 school children from Emmanuel Primary School worked with a group of 11 older residents at Laureston Lodge Sheltered Housing Scheme in West Hampstead, London to design and decorate ceramic tiles on the theme "Tree of Life". The tile designs were then glazed and cemented onto the back wall in the garden of Lauriston Lodge. The tile mural includes sayings, photographs, paintings and pictures chosen by the residents and the children. The project was designed and facilitated by local ceramic artist Pedro Kalache.

This project was part of the "Camden Big Together Intergenerational Arts Project", co-ordinated by the Promoting Independence Group of Camden Council and funded by the Local Area Ageeement Innovations Fund.

Pedro has the skills, flexibility and patience to work creatively with mixed-age groups, groups with diverse cultural backgrounds and groups with a range of abilities and disabilities. He believes passionately in the power of art to transform lives and bring together people of different ages. He is an accomplished ceramicist and an excellent teacher of his craft. He did a super job on this project.

The Tree of Life project provided a space for young and older people to share creative activity, learn new skills together and get to know each other. We are confident that the collaboration between Laureston Lodge and Emmanuel School will continue in the future. Inspired by the making of the "Tree of Life" ceramic, residents of the sheltered housing scheme have taken new interest in their garden, painting garden walls, repairing borders and clearing overgrown shrubs with assistance by North London Groundwork to provide new plants and a raised pond.

Vanda Carter
Intergenerational Development Worker
Camden Housing & Adult Social Care

The Pig plaque was a fantastic project that gave children and young people the opportunity to explore the unique environment of the farm in a creative and innovative way. We asked the children which animal they would like to work with for their first project and discussed different mediums they could use to draw and sketch. They chose to look at the pig (who at the time had around 12 piglets) . We spent a few weeks sketching the pig using pastels, watching her behaviour, comparing parts of her body to other animals on the farm. We encouraged the children to really focus on the pig by asking questions and tried to help them to discover things about pigs that they did not previously know. The children produced wonderful sketches during these few weeks and with help from Pedro became more and more confident in their drawing skills. Finally Pedro transferred the final images onto white tiles to create a stunning visual montage of a pig and her young.

This unique way of working help to inspire the children and create an enthusiasm and excitement about the project which had previously been quite hard to find. By asking questions, probing and exploring, the children were encouraged to look closer at their subject and really see if for the first time. Sessions were relaxed and became a socialising time where the children could help and support each other in their ideas and creativity, learning how to work and communicate as a group. The final plaque is stunning and is one of the most original and innovative pieces of work that the children have produced on the farm.

Pottery sessions and the use of clay continue to act as a brilliant way for people of all ages to come together and socialise and relax at the farm. It is a medium which can be explored and enjoyed by all ages. For those children and adults with behavioural problems or special needs it can help get rid of unwanted feelings and therefore has great therapeutic value. A child can pinch, punch and tear the clay allowing them to relieve any tensions or stresses, in a socially acceptable way.

The feeling of being able to create something out of nothing is a very strong one and extremely beneficial to people of all ages and from all backgrounds.

Simone Uncle

Play Development Co-Ordinator

Pedro devoted himself to helping me choose the best design for my father's 75th birthday present. From the start, he listened to my needs and adapted his designs around them. He presented me with an extensive choice of designs which we discussed before making a final decision. He was always accommodating and helpful throughout. The final piece was a four tile wild boar composition which was beautifully mounted and framed. I could not have envisaged a better end result and my father was thrilled with the work which is now displayed at the entrance to his house.

Saul Hillman

Pedro

'I wanted to thank you again for having delivered such a beautiful piece. Not only was it completed on time and professionally mounted on the wall, but it contains new intricacies that I find each time I look at it. Comments have abounded on how much colour it brings to the room, and it perfectly suits the character of the house - a testament to your choice of tones and tile design. I am already considering another for a different room and look forward to working with you once again.'

Adam Wakeling