Smoke Fired Form

• Purpose: Experience an ancient method of creating surface decoration for bisqued clay.

• Reflection:

When comparing the process and results of smoke and glaze on a finished piece, you have to take into account the different methods behind them and why you would want that result. The practice of Raku firing originated in the mid-16th century and was used to help create ceremonial pieces. Chinese potters were likely to develop modern glazed pieces during the Shang dynasty, but glaze has been used for a very long time to adorn artwork. In the context of our class, we experimented with both types of surface manipulation to get an idea of how different processes affect clay. Our class attempted Raku firing outside in a controlled environment with a trashcan and some natural materials. All of the clay balls had been pinched into a hollow circular shape with a tiny airhole, with a smoothed surface, and had been properly dried. Then we foraged outside for things like leaves or materials with interesting shapes to glue onto our clay balls. We then secured the additions with string and took turns burning the pieces in the fire outside. As they were burned, they were rotated so that the smoke could seep into as much of the surface as possible. This technique resulted in many brown, smoky hues, and sometimes even scorched patches on our clay balls. We then waxed and polished them to create a clean and shiny finish. Contrarily, glazing does not require firing your pieces over an open flame, nor does it rely on one element for a color payoff. When glazing a piece, it is usually already fired, and you often have an idea of what colors you want to use to make the piece look a certain way. Glaze is essentially a liquid glass made up of different components that make artwork uniquely colorful, shiny, and(sometimes) food-safe. You paint it onto fired pieces, let it dry, and then fire it again to get the bold glassy finish. This differs from Raku firing because one, you are using a kiln and not open flame, and two, you are using a “paintable color” to create the desired result, not smoke. To make my smoke-fired form even better I would have glued down my natural materials slightly better to get a starker contrast, and I would have smoothed out my surface more before drying. Waxing our pieces after firing ensures that the form not only looks nice and shiny but it is sealed and the color and markings can last.