Another tough make for the potters: three large pieces to throw on the wheel two of which have to have lids that fit, and all made from a clay that isn't the strongest or most forgiving.
And even the very capable Sal had a big crack in the bottom of her casserole.
So the two questions are: did Sal deserve to win? and did Shenyue deserve to get thrown out?
On the first of these two I would say that on balance Sal did deserve to win. Personally I liked Hannah's pieces with the stars on them which worked particularly well on the tagine, but Sal's decoration was a lot more involved and skilful. I also quite liked Jodie's, and Alon's was passable though I didn't like the others. Plain white slip on terracotta just doesn't look good, it looks like nasty white paint . . . in my humble opinion.
So did Shenyue deserve to go? Well I am sure this wasn't an easy decision for the judges, but on balance yes I think it was the right call. None of Shenyue's pieces were even remotely useable, and the beautiful simple Japanese brush strokes she promised us didn't happen. Having said that she was going to just apply one simply swipe of the brush, she then in fact did the exact opposite of this, working over and over and creating a really nasty mess. I also think that a simple brush stroke of black would have looked much more stylish, but it is easy to be critical is it not?
Henry's efforts were not much better and I would be surprised if he is with us much longer. He was also completely at sea on the tile carving, though I think his point about not having lived very much at 20 is to some extent valid. They did only have half an hour on that spot test, so if like him, you were having a bit of a melt down, that didn't leave much time to carve the actual tiles. Poor thing. It just goes to show that the decision to eject someone is really about the main make. Get that wrong and you have blown it, no matter how good your spot test. It's a tough competition and no mistake.
Regarding the tiles, I really liked Adam's Brighton tiles, Jodie's images of Wales, Hannah's plants from round the globe.
My prediction is that Henry will go next, followed by Peter, then Alon. Though who knows . . . it's all about their performance on the day and anyone can have an off day . . .
All of them are brave to put themselves on the line in that way - I envy them not.
