A Macclesfield artist held a meet and greet on Thursday as he donated a piece of artwork to a town centre shop.

Ceramics artist Will Boyce's unveiled a bespoke piece in Scoop and Scales on Roe Street.

The artist, who lives in the Upton Priory area of the town, was already a member of Scoop and Scales but wanted to further his relationship with the good cause by creating a piece of artwork for them.

Will is a potter with a passion for reusing materials and highlighting environmental issues. And his new piece titled 'The Plastic Oh No Fish' reflects that.

The collage uses material that Will has found on his travels, that would have other wise gone to landfill or ended up in the sea, and has now given these materials a greater meaning. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"I decided to create a bespoke piece for Scoop and Scales as I really like what they are doing", said Will.

"I like playing with art. I don't do this to make a living, I do it to express an artistic view on things.

"I've been using reclaimed materials in my art since I was a child.

"Here, I have used it to express meaning on plastic pollution in our oceans."

Will's work is located near the coffee products in the centre of the store. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

It is estimated by the IUCN that at least 14 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year, and in 2018 the UK Government estimated that 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution every year.

The piece's title is a play on words of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band, who were also known in the late 1960s and 1970s for their environmental activism. The name also highlights the dire situation our seas are in.

"There is not a fish in the world now that hasn't been affected by the plastic problem we have," added Will.

"This is my first piece exhibited in Macclesfield, but I'd love to have some more.

'The Plastic Oh No Fish', is made from reclaimed items and highlights the marine plastic pollution problem we face; the scale of which is becoming more apparent as more research is published.

"The piece is 20 by 18 inches, and took me 35 hours to do from drawing it to its completion.

"The tiles I cut myself, the fishing wire was washed up on a beach in Wales, some plastic bits used I found in my back garden."

"I used Macclesfield clay, fired up to 604 Degrees Celsius."

Will studied ceramics at North Staffordshire Polytechnic 40 years ago, and has worked in the pottery industry.

It will be permanently exhibited in the shop. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

The ceramic sculptor is currently a director of Stoke on Clay, a community festival celebrating Stoke-on-Trent's pottery history.

The Macclesfield resident is keen to share the skills needed to produce beautiful pottery, and to help others understand what drives an artist to create.

"For me, ceramics is a time game. It is like cooking.

"I really love The Great Pottery Throwdown, but the only thing wrong with it is they are moving too fast. They are trying to do things in a timescale that is impossible to do, and that is where you get breakages.

As well as this permanent fixture, Scoop and Scales regularly holds exhibitions for other local artists. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"I pride myself on very rarely getting breakages."

You can also shop at Scoop and Scales once you have seen the new piece.

The refill shop, which aims to reduce single use packaging and food waste, has over 300 food and household items for sale.

What's even better is you can get exactly how much you need, saving money at the same time you help save the planet.

Scoop and Scales is located inside The Heritage Centre on Roe Street. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"I'm a member here, but you don't have to be a member to shop," explained Will.

"I believe we all have got to do our bit. If we reduce our plastic use, then it is not going to end up in the sea and kill fish.

"Scoop and Scales is also good for equality, fair trade, and for not eating processed foods. Scoop and Scales makes it accessible, and nice. It is a groovy place.

Scoop and Scales Director Matthew Todd had this to add:

You can bring your own containers to Scoop and Scales, they also provide some that people have donated. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"Thank you Will for displaying your work, it is great to have you," said Matthew.

"We're always keen to provide a platform for artists here."

Learn more about Scoop and Scales by reading this Macclesfield Nub News article.

Macclesfield: Want to have one of Will's pieces in your business? Or develop your ceramics skills? You can get in touch with Will via [email protected].

See Also: New bubble tea shop set to come to Macclesfield

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