A Merging of Histories

This body of work is inspired by the history of blue and white ceramics and ancient storage pots from China and Korea. Blue and white transcends time yet, harkens back to a formal and precise process of decoration on ceramics. The scale and presence of these pots is inspired from both neolithic Chinese burial pots and food, water and wine storage pots of Korea, China and Japan. The building construction is formed by hand with coils of clay one upon the other. The forms are shaped and smoothed with simple tools. The surface is decorated through a 5 step process. This process brings depth and variation to the surface. Adding another connection to the clarity of blue and white decorative porcelain work. In areas where the clay is left bare the sodium carbonate solution introduced into the kiln during firing will react with the clay body. When the sodium carbonate hits the glazed areas of the pot, the glaze will have more melt and movement. Each piece looks different from one side to the other based upon how it was hit with the soda. This surface variation and glaze movement is what I am most drawn to in soda firing. Every piece is unique and has evidence of the path of the flames and the soda vapor within the kiln.