Daisy Makeig-Jones pottery comes alive at Wedgwood Museum

Daisy Brickett, a third year student, shows off her work at Wedgwood. Photographs by Luke Powell.

By Phil Bannister: A musical theatre group took over The Daisy Makeig-Jones’ Fairyland Lustre display at Wedgwood Museum to tell her story through performance art.

Wedgwood hosted the Candlemas Eve and the Tears of Wax vignette inspired by stories about the enigmatic designer and her work.

Daisy Makeig-Jones was a 19th century potter, most famous for her fantasy range at Wedgwood.

The Words and Music group (WAM), collaborated with teacher Misha Herwin and musical performer Ellie Davies produced the piece and provided drama workshops for schools and museums.

Misha Herwin, of WAM,  said: “The idea behind this was to try and understand what was going on in Daisy Makeing-Jones’ head.

“She was a very interesting lady but not a lot was written about her so we took inspiration from her work.”

Assorted Records, a music company set up by a former Stafford graduate, helped mix and edit the sound for the performance.

Emma Mather, learning and access officer of Wedgwood Museum, said: “This is the sort of event we want at the museum and it is the first of it’s kind here.

“We hope to take the Fairyland theme forward and do something during Midsummer.”

The museum also used the night to invite 3d Design, Surface Pattern and MA students from Staffordshire University to showcase their work and sell it to potential buyers.

Design senior lecturer Angela Atkinson said: “The standard of work has been fantastic and there has been such a broad range of work.

“It boosts their confidence and gives them a reality check to see how people respond to the work they’re making. It’s good for them to get out into the real world to test the market.”