Duration  

13 – 15 July 2026 / 3 days 

Monday - Wednesday 10.00am – 4.30pm 

Course leader(s)  

Merry Chow 

Level - Varying levels of experience

Course Description

In Praise of Brokenness is a three-day Kintsugi workshop introducing the Japanese practice of repairing ceramics with lacquer and gold. Participants will explore both practical techniques and an approach that brings together making and artistic thinking, engaging in hands-on repair alongside discussions of materiality, care, and the aesthetics of repair. The course also introduces aspects of traditional lacquer knowledge and situates the practice within broader Japanese aesthetic and cultural contexts. 

Combining demonstrations, making, and discussion, it encourages a slower, more attentive approach to materials. Space will be built into these discussions for students who wish to address crossovers between this tradition, and their own contemporary making practice. By the end of the workshop, participants will have completed repaired ceramic pieces and gained an introduction to the tools, materials, and methods used in both traditional and contemporary approaches. 

Merry Chow is a conservator based at the UCL Institute of Archaeology. Her practice is informed by earlier experience working with Japanese artists and craftspeople, shaping her engagement with material, repair, and care. She was Slade Conservator-in-Residence (2024–25) and is currently Slade Scientist-in-Residence. 

Please Read Slade’s Terms & Conditions: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/slade/shortcourses/evening-courses#general-information