Raku Ceramic Sculpture. Underwater Decayed Life.

Description

This raku ceramic sculpture is one of my new underwater life decayed life forms. I gather some of my inspiration from underwater creatures and life forms. It reflects my relationship with natural forms.

The raku ceramic decayed underwater life sculpture is loosely based on the form of the sea turtle skeleton. The contrast between the white crackled outside surface and matte-crusted highly textured inside cavities emphasizes the organic nature of the piece. As a result, the design also captures the natural fluidity and movement.

This shell is 8” long and 5″ wide.

To fully understand the Raku Firing Process, one would have to delve into and study Japanese culture. Raku is deeply associated and intertwined with the ancient Japanese tea ceremony. Serving and drinking tea using Raku-fired bowls is an age old “happening” that is still performed in some areas of Japan. Raku glazes contain a lot of copper that gives the fired pieces: green, red, blue and copper shades.  The temperature is rather quickly run up to about 1800-2000 degrees F. Next the kiln is raised, revealing red hot pieces.

I place the piece in a bucket containing combustible materials. As soon as the red-hot piece comes in contact with the combustible materials, spontaneous combustion occurs.  Finally, I place the  lid over the can to make a reduction atmosphere . The flames seek for the oxygen removing it from the glaze and clay body. The result is a black clay body and very interesting colors on the piece. No two pieces of Raku will ever be the same. It’s like Christmas!

Raku care:
Raku ceramics by their creative process and their very nature serve only for decorative purposes. Please, keep your piece out of direct sunlight will keep the metals in the glaze from oxidizing and colors strong and vibrant.