Wood Fired Ceramics

Wood‑firing is a 5th‑century ceramic tradition still practiced today. In my work, these limited‑edition pieces are created in an anagama wood kiln that holds 300–400 pots. Preparing for a firing, loading the kiln, tending the fire, and finally unloading the work is a labor‑intensive process that spans well over a month. During the firing itself, someone must be at the kiln around the clock, stoking wood into the firebox roughly every five minutes for seven straight days. The temperature slowly climbs to 2400 degrees using wood as the only fuel source. As the fire burns, wood ash settles onto the pieces and melts in the high heat, forming natural glazes and drips unique to each vessel. Depending on the type of wood used, the subtle colors can range from yellow  to green (oak or walnut) to pink or purple (cherry or mulberry). I construct these vessels with careful attention to volume and form so they can fully receive and reveal the effects of the wood kiln.