Through the end of March Gallery Madera is exhibiting works from 11 contemporary wood fired ceramic artists as well as Sumi paintings by Tacoma artist Selinda Sheridan and multi-media paintings by Port Townsend’s Rae Belkin. This show has proven to be one of our most popular to date. (We even had a couple drive in from Randall, WA - they picked up a card in Astoria, OR - thanks Hiroshi!)
With over 70 works on display, A Path of Flame takes a comprehensive look at contemporary wood fired ceramics in the Northwest. From functional to pure organic form each piece is beautiful example of the spectacular effects of this ancient Asian firing tradition. Take, for example, Terry Inokuma’s Seapod, the form brings to mind ancient vessels from some far gone dynasty, but her design also brings the past into the present and the piece’s rotund quality makes it very approachable and fun.
I have found the wood firing process to be such a compelling medium. First there is the nearly unpredictable aspect to the final finish - it is the path of the flame (and ash) that determines the look of each piece - no two will ever be identical. It’s as if each form is wrapped in its own earthy abstract painting. Then there is the dependence on community. Each firing is an around-the-clock vigil that may go on for 4 or 5 days. I found a great quote on this interesting site:
Like no other method, wood firing unleashes primal forces of nature upon the work in the kiln. When standing before a kiln burning in all its raging might and glory, one cannot help but feel that it is as much alive as the potter who serves and attends to its needs. During the course of a wood firing, a time which may extend for many days and nights in a row, the potter and kiln become intimate collaborators in the work.
Most of the ceramic works in the show were fired in one of two kilns: Hiroshi Ogawa’s in Elkton OR or John Benn and Colleen Gallagher’s on Harstine Island, WA. I would like to extend many thanks to Tacoma potter Andy Lewis-Lechner for gathering this diverse group of artists together for the show. Due to both my own enchantment with the wood fired process and the over-all positive response, I hope to make this a recurring event!
The potters represented are:
John Benn, Gina Freuen, Colleen Gallagher, John Harris, Sam Hoffman, Terry Inokuma, Chis Knapp, Susan Lochner, Reid Ozaki, Hiroshi Ogawa, Andy Lewis-Lechner.
