Functional Fire: Woodfire Cup Show

Jil Franke

Jay Jensen

 

Fred Herbst

September 1999

Our juried exhibition Functional Fire: A Woodfired Cup Show runs from September 16 - October 3. The show coincides with Different Stokes: The 1999 International Woodfire Conference being held at the University of Iowa from September 29-October 2.

Juried by Simon Levin and Michael Smith, this exhibit includes 45 pieces by 36 artists from the United States and Canada. A closing reception honoring the artists will be held Thursday, September 30 from 5-8pm, and it is open to the public. Come cast your vote for the People''s Choice Award! Firing with wood is often a communal process in which the kiln is continuously stoked and monitored over a period of several days. Along with loading and cooling periods, the entire firing can take ten days to two weeks from start to finish. During the process of firing, ash and flame interact with the pieces to form a natural glaze. Perhaps because of this communal element, as well as its connections to nature and the environment, woodfire is enjoying a resurgence amongst contemporary potters.

The exhibit showcases a variety of contemporary perspectives on the humble cup. Some work pushes the limits of functionality into sculpture, whereas others embrace everyday use. The works selected for this exhibition encompass a wide range of surfaces, techniques and form, demonstrating the possibilities inherent in woodfire. Some pieces are heavily ashed, where others exhibit more subtle qualities of woodfire atmospheres. Included are hand-built, thrown and altered works in individual pieces or in sets.

For more information on woodfired ceramics click here.

For more examples from the exhibition click here.

 

Jake Alee

J. Daniel Murphy

 

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