How Our Pieces Are Made + What They’re About

Memory first. Play second. AI somewhere in the middle.

At BelfastDelft, every piece starts with memory and imagination. For this body of work, I’ve been, quite blaitantly (see what I did there), experimenting with AI as a playful tool - not the source of the work, but a way to see what’s possible, push boundaries, and have a laugh along the way.

Example: “Slaying It”

I have a memory of sliding down the back of Mullacreevie Hill in Armagh, on a piece of cardboard, on repeat, for days on end when I was 8 or 9 years old. When I popped my sketch into the AI, it gave me an image of kids sliding down, but one of them had three arms. Hilarious. I was so tempted to ‘fix’ it - but I didn’t. The question was, could we put that on a tile? Would people buy it? Turns out, yes.

What this work really is

Experimental, playful, and human. We’re exploring nostalgia, memories, and emotions—then bringing each piece to life using our skill in the ceramic studio.

Pro tip: Chill if you’re worried about AI. These are just pictures on tiles. Fun, harmless, and definitely not going to jump off the shelf and hurt you. Nothing more, nothing less.

Step 1: Concept & Memory

Every piece starts with a memory, an idea, or a shared childhood story.

Step 2: A Quick Sketch

Quick sketches, either in a notebook or in my head, capture the essence of the moment.

Step 3: Playful AI Exploration

AI is a tool for experimentation and surprise. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes absurd—I quite like the thought that we can laugh at what it creates.

Step 4: Studio Craft

Traditional ceramic skills bring it all together. Each piece is handmade with Red Earthenware Clay, glazed with a lush white tin glaze and then referred again to about 850°C with our cobalt rich images. 

What Are These Pieces About?

• Playful: Winks, smiles, and little exaggerations.
• Respectful: Every memory handled with care.
• Reflective: Invites you to remember your own stories.
• Experimental: Memory + AI + traditional craft.

Are They “Art”?

Controversial question!

 I would say no, but who is to say what art is. Given the little bit of kickback we’ve had Online I can say with confidence that I’m certainly not going listen to some keyboard warrior shouting at me from their bedroom on social media.

* If anybody wants to have a competition in creating things, sketching, drawing or making, bring it on, if you’re going to have a negative opinion on what we do, then put your money through your mouth and show us your skill 

To many these pieces are visual stories and playful experiments, designed to spark curiosity and nostalgia—not fear, we hope you can enjoy them for what they are!