Raku

Barrel Fired Ceramic Art

 
 
 
Raku and Barrel firing The pottery pieces I create are destined to be truly one of a kind. Most often when creating my forms I do not have a solid concept of how the final fired work will present itself. It is this mystery which has drawn me to exploring the challenges of raku and barrel firing. The surface of the fired piece, however visually and texturally interesting, is completely the result of the fire. The unpredictability of raku and barrel firing as well as the volatile state of the clay can yield either exciting or disappointing results. It is this unpredictability that maintains my interest and pursuit as a ceramic artist involved with these processes. I choose to look at the fired results as something that can never be repeated, and therefore unique in scope. Painted by fire, if you will, is really what these firing processes are all about. My mission as a ceramic artist is to continually explore and experiment with alternative firing techniques in order to gain a better understanding of how to achieve some control over the unpredictable. Chad_Jerzak_Pottery_files/Barrel%20firing.docx

“I create ceramic art which is born out of a desire to explore what I can do with clay.  This handmade Raku and barrel fired pottery is designed and intended to create a mysterious presence.”  Chad Jerzak