Statement Regarding Our Belfast Delft
Stephen Farnan Studio
Statement Regarding our Belfast Delft
Recent feedback on my Belfast Delft collection has prompted me to speak openly about it—this small experimental body of work—and the use of AI within parts of its development. I tried AI simply because I had just heard about it and thought it sounded interesting; there was a lot of noise around it. Even though I’ve never used it as the source of my work, it became one tool among many within the Belfast Delft: a body of work where each and every piece begins with a memory, a sketch, or a story, and is made and fired by hand in our Belfast studio.
There are concerns about AI replacing creatives or “stealing” from our culture. But innovation has always shaped the arts. Ceramics itself changed forever during the Industrial Revolution when new production methods almost wiped out the need for potters (like myself) — yet craft endured and is arguably more valued today. And culturally, none of us works in a vacuum. We all draw on our collective cultural bank — knowledge, imagery, stories, and technologies passed down over generations.
I also want to acknowledge the difficult nature of the recent conversation. I turned off comments on Instagram due to the level of online abuse, though I still hear and respect those who voiced genuine disappointment. Honest dialogue matters.
It’s hard not to miss the broader irony in all of this. Many of those who expressed strong objections still rely on AI in their everyday lives—whether through faster medical processing, online banking systems, or the technology built into the phones we all carry. AI is already woven into the fabric of modern life, and most people use it without thinking twice. Yet there remains a tendency to draw lines for others around what is or isn’t acceptable.
As for me, my interest in AI—and its place within the Delft work—is naturally fading. I explored it, experimented with it, and it took me somewhere unexpected for a moment. But now my curiosity is shifting elsewhere—not because of pressure or criticism, but simply because that’s how I work. Creative practice involves movement and evolution, not staying confined to one method or idea.
Creativity requires room to experiment. As John Cleese said, “Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating.” The Belfast Delft work led directly to my new cobalt series, Familiar Landscapes—work I’m genuinely proud of, and work that simply wouldn’t exist without that period of exploration. In fact, the breakthrough came from something as straightforward as using blue; it emerged directly from the Delft experiments and wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
I want to thank those who have engaged thoughtfully in this conversation, rather than simply shouting abuse. I remain committed to making honest work that is true to me. I will stay curious, and I will not allow bullies to dictate how I choose to develop, experiment, or play when creating something new.
Stephen Farnan
Stephen Farnan Studio, Belfast
