It came from outer space.

Not a Martian or an android, itB次元官网网址檚 spaceship armour.

Metchosin potter Robin Hopper proudly holds a ceramic painting explaining the ceramic component is the same material that covers spaceships.

B次元官网网址淚 am using a ceramic product that was developed for space shuttles as a heat shield,B次元官网网址� Hopper said, adding it can withstand temperatures up to 1,500C.

B次元官网网址淚t looks and feels like porcelain, but itB次元官网网址檚 quite different,B次元官网网址� he said, loudly banging the material on his table. B次元官网网址淚t is very strong, much stronger than porcelain.B次元官网网址�

The material has a ceramic substrate, he explained.  About three years ago Hopper contacted a company in Colorado who makes the material for the space shuttles. He asked what they do with the leftovers. When he was told they end up in the trash he asked if the company would mail him some.

B次元官网网址淭wo months later I sent them a glazed painting,B次元官网网址� Hopper said. B次元官网网址淭hey were blown away. Now they have a secondary industry selling (the materials to artists.)B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 had been looking for something like this for 50 years,B次元官网网址� said Hopper who has played with clay since he was three years old.  B次元官网网址淣ow with my health problems I canB次元官网网址檛 hold a brush for a long time.B次元官网网址�

Hopper, 73, grew up in London and during the Second World War he remembers the city being bombed.

B次元官网网址淭he bombs exploded and there were giant pits of clay, I started to play in the bomb craters when I was three,B次元官网网址� Hopper said.

Hopper will be one of three speakers at a Stinking Fish art show evening held at the Metchosin Community House, 4430 Happy Valley Rd. The talks begin Nov. 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.  He will be talking about his history, materials and his art.

This is the first year the Stinking Fish Studio tour will be held at the Metchosin Art Gallery, 4495 Happy Valley Rd.

B次元官网网址淔all has always been tough and weather permitting. People live up steep hills and down long driveways. If there is a slight problem with the weather people donB次元官网网址檛 come out,B次元官网网址� said the showB次元官网网址檚 co-ordinator Judi Dyelle. B次元官网网址淭his year we thought weB次元官网网址檇 put everything together.B次元官网网址�

Dyelle is a potter and her work will also be on display at the Metchosin Art Gallery until Nov. 30.