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Smoke firing is an ancient technique, used both to fire raw clay into durable ceramic and also to decorate it with smoke designs. Its technological simplicity not only lends itself to endless interpretations but encourages artistic creativity through improvisation and experimentation.
Smoke Firing is a thorough survey of the varied work and approaches of contemporary artists today, showing recent innovative developments. By investigating the ideas of selected ceramicists Jane Perryman reveals the meanings and inspiration behind their work. Clear and colourful images demonstrate the various processes used, showing sequences of artists in action. The book covers smoke firing using bonfires, various containers, earth pits, saggars, and kilns, with a chapter on how smoke firing can be used as an educational tool in groups and workshops.
Dynamic illustrations feature the work of the 29 artists represented, from 17 different countries, making it a truly international focus on smoke firing.
List of contents
Preface
Foreword
1. An Introduction to Smoke Firing
Smoke Firing in Antiquity
Traditional Firing Technology
2. Smoke Firing in Contemporary Traditional Societies
Nigeria
India
Native America (New Mexico)
PART 1: SMOKE FIRING WITHOUT A KILN
3. Smoke Firing in the Open
Siddig El'Nigoumi (Sudan/UK)
Susan Halls (UK/USA)
4. Smoke Firing in a Container
Inger Sodergren (Sweden)
Antonia Salmon (UK)
Ann Marais (South Africa)
Gabriele Koch (Germany/UK)
Jimmy Clarke (USA)
Madhvi Subrahmanian (India/USA)
5. Smoke Firing in a Pit
Janey Burton (USA)
Gudrun Kainz (Austria)
Signe Lassen (Denmark)
PART 2: SMOKE FIRING WITH A KILN
6. Smoke Firing in a Saggar
Magdalene Odundo (Kenya/UK)
Richard Notkin (USA)
Pao Fei Yang (Taiwan/USA)
Eva Marie Kothe (Sweden)
Jane Perryman (UK)
Duncan Ross (UK)
Alison Tinker (UK/Spain)
Sebastian Blackie (UK)
Nattinee Satawatthamrong (Thailand)
Pamela Gorgone (USA)
7. Smoke Firing in a Kiln
Pierre Bayle (France)
Ellen Schopf (Germany)
Munemi Yorigami (Japan)
8. Post-raku Smoke Firing
Giovanni Cimatti (Italy)
Anne James (UK)
Joy Bosworth (UK)
Ashraf Hannah (Egypt/UK)
Mark Verbruggen (Belgium)
9. Smoke Firing in Groups
Smoke firing with groups of children and adults using a variety of firing techniques and locations
Conclusion and Acknowledgements
Health & Safety and Suppliers List
References
Index
About the author
Jane Perryman has an international reputation as a ceramicist working within the area of handbuilding and smoke firing. She exhibits worldwide and is the author of
Smoke-fired Pottery, Naked Clay and
Traditional Pottery of India. She contributes regularly to
Ceramic Review and other international ceramics publications.
Summary
The essential guide to the smoke firing method with highlights from international artists' work.
Smoke firing is an ancient technique, used both to fire raw clay into durable ceramic and also to decorate it with smoke designs. Its technological simplicity not only lends itself to endless interpretations but encourages artistic creativity through improvisation and experimentation.
Smoke Firing is a thorough survey of the varied work and approaches of contemporary artists today, showing recent innovative developments. By investigating the ideas of selected ceramicists Jane Perryman reveals the meanings and inspiration behind their work. Clear and colourful images demonstrate the various processes used, showing sequences of artists in action. The book covers smoke firing using bonfires, various containers, earth pits, saggars, and kilns, with a chapter on how smoke firing can be used as an educational tool in groups and workshops.
Dynamic illustrations feature the work of the 29 artists represented, from 17 different countries, making it a truly international focus on smoke firing.
Foreword
The essential guide to the smoke firing method with highlights from international artists' work.
