Jim Wylder
The Viewcrest Studio
Artist Statement
Jim Wylder’s Naked Raku pottery is renowned for its striking, organic beauty, which blends the raw, earthy nature of clay with the dramatic, unpredictable effects created through the Raku firing process. Wylder’s work exemplifies the unique appeal of Naked Raku, a technique that exposes the bare ceramic body to the elements of fire and reduction, resulting in visually rich, textural surfaces.
Here are some defining features of Wylder’s Naked Raku pottery:
1. Natural Textures: Jim’s pieces often feature rich, textured surfaces where the clay body is left exposed and highlighted. The use of a slip/glaze layer over the pottery, which cracks and peels off after firing, creates a distinct pattern of fissures and cracks on the surface of the clay. These natural markings are a hallmark of Naked Raku, and Wylder’s ability to control the texture and patterns gives each piece a unique, one-of-a-kind look.
2. Contrasting Surfaces: The technique of reduction firing used in Naked Raku often results in a contrast between the dark, carbonized areas (from the reduction atmosphere in the chamber- a 55 gallon oil drum) and the lighter, more natural tones of the exposed clay body. Wylder expertly balances these contrasts, achieving stunning visual effects where the exposed clay may be smooth and polished, while other areas appear more rustic or charred.
3. Fluid Forms: Wylder’s pottery often features flowing, sculptural forms that emphasize the natural curves and lines of the piece. His shapes tend to have an elegant, yet earthy quality, which complements the textures and color variations of the Naked Raku process. His vessels might include, vases, or sculptural objects, each one a work of art in its own right.
4. Organic Aesthetic: The overall aesthetic of Wylder’s Naked Raku pottery is organic and earthy, often evoking natural landscapes or elements from the environment. The subtle variations in color and texture on each piece give it a sense of being a part of nature, making each piece feel both timeless and contemporary.
5. Minimalist Design: While the process itself can create highly intricate and complex patterns, Wylder often employs a minimalist approach in his design, letting the natural textures and colors of the clay take center stage. This allows the tactile and visual aspects of the pottery to shine, with an emphasis on form, surface, and texture.
Overall, Jim Wylder’s Naked Raku pottery is celebrated for its harmonious blend of artistic technique and natural beauty, with each piece showcasing the raw, elemental qualities of the clay while highlighting the unpredictable and dramatic effects of the Raku firing process.
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Eutectic Gallery Back Room, January 2019. High, Low, and Naked
RAIN SPARK GALLERY member since forever
Oregon Potters Association member 2006 - 2019
Oregon Potters Association 2017 CERAMIC SHOWCASE poster and flier Image
The Holiday Gallery at 510 Museum and Artspace, November-December 2014, November-December 2015
Portland Japanese Garden, Behind the Shoji, July 18 - September 1, 2014
Oregon Potters Association, Showcase ‘Best of Show’, Bennett Welsh Award for Surface Decoration, 2013 and 2014
Pottery featured in the ‘American Dream House’, Street of Dreams, August 2013
Naked Raku pot “ODDS” shown in the Oregon Governor’s Mansion, 2015
Naked Raku pot “YIKES POW!” shown in the Oregon Governor’s Mansion, 2013-14
Volunteer at the Children's Museum Clay Room, October 2009 - March 2011
Supervisor for Intern Art Teachers, Lewis & Clark Graduate School of Education, 2004 – 2007
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, October 2017 - Tips and Tools: "Flattening Bats", pg. 102
Published in Pottery Making Illustrated, May/June 2015 - "Staying in Shape", pg. 17 - 20
Published in the book “100 TIPS, TOOLS, & TECHNIQUES for the ceramics studio, 2017. Nine articles in total.
Published in the book "Throwing Techniques", 2015
Published in the book "Glazing Techniques", 2015, page 27
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, June/July/August 2014 - TIPS AND TOOLS: Control at the top, pg. 66 & 67
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, January 2014 - Tips and Tools: Depth and Field, pg. 58
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, January 2013 - TIPS AND TOOLS, Banding Wheel Pins, pg. 16 & 17
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, December 2012 - TIPS AND TOOLS, Dial-in Level, pg. 18
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, December 2011 - Glaze Drip Pan, pg. 14
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, January 2010 – Suggestions, Platter Flipper, pg. 14 & 15
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, February 2007 – Suggestions, Accuracy In Planning, pg. 18
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, August/September 2007 – Comment | Chef or Cook?
Published in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, November 2005 - Tip of the Month, Bat Pin Inserts, pg. 32