Wednesday, December 26, 2018

JUST SHINO

I was searching for a photo yesterday in response to a conversation I was having with a distant collector and near the photos in question was this lone jpeg of a rich, red Shino covered jar. This covered jar was made by Bill Klock back in the 90s and was one of a group of pots I picked up while working with him at Plattsburgh State and his studio, several of which were given off to several very gracious patrons that I had back at that time. With some luck, this pot stayed with Mindy and I and made its way from Cleveland, through numerous moves and is still with us here in the Mohawk Valley. Bill loved Shino along with temmoku and ash in which a great number of his pots were glazed and this jar shows the influences of his stay in Korea with impressed and inlaid devices around the pot. It is a straight forward, almost simple pot that was made with function in mind without ever overlooking pleasing the eye as well. The Shino was used somewhat thin showing off the decoration and throwing marks which in turn makes for a rather fiery red surface. In truth despite all the years I spent around Bill, I have far fewer pots by him than one would expect and certainly far fewer than I would like and this may be just a simple Shino covered pot but to me it is equal parts of inspiration, standard and a perpetual reminder of a mentor and friend.