Please note that a new batch of Ten McMeekin Wheels are under production. Please pre-order to secure on of these wheels.
The McMeekin WheelI have the very great honour of being loosely connected to Ivan McMeekin through my pottery master Steve Sheridan and Trish McMeekin, his partner.
Steve makes pots today on the wheel made in 1963 by Ivan. Steve and Trish gifted me Ivan's original hand drawn plans of this incredible wheel; strong and resilient yet incredibly responsive it has transformed my throwing and my perspective on pots. |
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Built to lastI have adapted this wheel to make it commercially viable whilst retaining the essence of simple dependability so essential for a potter's primary tool. The wheel is built from stainless steel and powder coated for protection.
The wheel head and shelf are made from lacquered birch ply and the flywheel (a soft wood core with iron band outer) is covered in cork to aid durability, comfort and noise reduction. The wheels are manufactured in the South West of England. |
Fully adjustableThe wheel's original design has been adapted to make it fully adjustable for people of differing heights and throwing styles.
The wheel head to seat position can be adjusted by raising and lowering the seat height which can also be moved closer to or away from the tray. For shorter throwers, the flywheel position can be adjusted (high or low) in order not to compromise the seat to wheel head position. Also adjustable are the foot rests. These can be fixed inside or outside the frame, raised and lowered and an optional extra accessory is available that brings the foot rest forward to reduce the reach for people with shorted legs. |
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A versatile throwing platformWith an easy to remove tray the wheel head can be very easily swapped out for wheel heads of differing diameters (standard is 31cm). This means for larger charges, where there is no need for a tray, the tray can be removed and wider diameter wheel heads can be fitted (custom size wheel heads are offered).
Bat systems As an optional customisation we are able to offer wheel heads with embedded brass bat pins and we are also able to offer MRMDF throwing bats of varying sizes to fit the wheel head. |
These photographs are taken by the supremely talented Stephen Lenthall of Article Studio
I designed this wheel in 1963, after watching Hamada throwing with such peace and enjoyment on his stick wheel, and saw the beautiful control available through the slowly turning wheel head.
‘I felt I was pursuing the sensation of sailing along on the momentum of a fairly heavy wheel – something like catching a wave in the surf.
‘I feel we should regard our wheels as instruments rather than machines, much as a musician regards their instrument.’
(Extract from Ivan McMeekin: In His Own Words, Ceramics: Art & Perception No 13 1993)
‘I felt I was pursuing the sensation of sailing along on the momentum of a fairly heavy wheel – something like catching a wave in the surf.
‘I feel we should regard our wheels as instruments rather than machines, much as a musician regards their instrument.’
(Extract from Ivan McMeekin: In His Own Words, Ceramics: Art & Perception No 13 1993)
Ivan McMeekin 1919 - 1993
Ivan McMeekins’ potting career began in Cornwall at Michael Cardews’ Wenford Bridge Pottery.
When Cardew left for Africa, Ivan ran the workshop for the next few years. On his retrn to Australia in 1953, Ivan started the well known Sturt Pottery in Mittagong, and it was here he began his lifelong investigation and use of Australian raw materials. As someone with an unabashed admiration for the beauty of the Chinese stoneware and porcelain he had initially seen as a merchant seaman on the China coast – “pure lyrical colours, finely articulated strong yet graceful forms, and beauty of material”- Ivan committed to the integrity of materials as the basis for making good pots.
In the years after leaving Sturt, Ivan taught and conducted research at the University of NSW in the Industrial Arts Department: the course was quite technically based and his notes prepared for lectures formed the basis of his seminal book, ‘Notes for Potters in Australia – Raw Materials and Clay Bodies’. Unfortunately his death in 1993 prevented publication of Volume 2, - ‘Kilns and Glazes’.
Ivans’ influence and legacy to potters in Australia is enormous, but it is not contained just to Australians. His keen intelligence, scholarship and creative integrity were respected by all who knew his work, including his peers: Bernard Leach, Hamada and Michael Cardew, his mentor with whom he conducted a lively correspondence over many years.
The McMeekin Kick Wheel was designed by Ivan when at the University of NSW. An unknown number were produced for the faculty there and for the Potters Society of NSW. It is not known how many of the wheels are still in use, but his potting legacy continues through his family, where the wheels are in regular use. As one who has used this wheel for many years, in my opinion it is probably the best kick wheel I have ever seen.
Steve Sheridan March 2019
Ivan McMeekins’ potting career began in Cornwall at Michael Cardews’ Wenford Bridge Pottery.
When Cardew left for Africa, Ivan ran the workshop for the next few years. On his retrn to Australia in 1953, Ivan started the well known Sturt Pottery in Mittagong, and it was here he began his lifelong investigation and use of Australian raw materials. As someone with an unabashed admiration for the beauty of the Chinese stoneware and porcelain he had initially seen as a merchant seaman on the China coast – “pure lyrical colours, finely articulated strong yet graceful forms, and beauty of material”- Ivan committed to the integrity of materials as the basis for making good pots.
In the years after leaving Sturt, Ivan taught and conducted research at the University of NSW in the Industrial Arts Department: the course was quite technically based and his notes prepared for lectures formed the basis of his seminal book, ‘Notes for Potters in Australia – Raw Materials and Clay Bodies’. Unfortunately his death in 1993 prevented publication of Volume 2, - ‘Kilns and Glazes’.
Ivans’ influence and legacy to potters in Australia is enormous, but it is not contained just to Australians. His keen intelligence, scholarship and creative integrity were respected by all who knew his work, including his peers: Bernard Leach, Hamada and Michael Cardew, his mentor with whom he conducted a lively correspondence over many years.
The McMeekin Kick Wheel was designed by Ivan when at the University of NSW. An unknown number were produced for the faculty there and for the Potters Society of NSW. It is not known how many of the wheels are still in use, but his potting legacy continues through his family, where the wheels are in regular use. As one who has used this wheel for many years, in my opinion it is probably the best kick wheel I have ever seen.
Steve Sheridan March 2019
Specifications
Height: 105cm (can be tailored))
Width: 83cm
Weight: Approx 95kg
Wheel head: Unpegged, wooden, 12.5" diameter
Foot pegs: Adjustable position and height
Seat: Height adjustable
Construction: Box and sheet steel with durable powder coat finish
Price: On Application
Width: 83cm
Weight: Approx 95kg
Wheel head: Unpegged, wooden, 12.5" diameter
Foot pegs: Adjustable position and height
Seat: Height adjustable
Construction: Box and sheet steel with durable powder coat finish
Price: On Application
