In
a recent discussion with a potter though quite some distance away but Earthly
bound, the topic turned to making marks, marks and their meaning. Admittedly many marks that I make
on my pottery may seem obtuse or abstract (or abstrakt) even though many times there is meaning, narration
and symbolism in decoration that may appear otherwise and I am sure I am not
alone in this. Some marks, design and decoration like with this carved teabowl
showcases an incised narration, which is meaningful to me and meaningful enough
to commit it to clay and fire it into permanence. As I make these marks I
wonder if it is necessary to spell out the implicit meaning of the design, the
decoration and in the end I leave it to the viewer to see and interpret as they
see fit, according to their ideas and experiences besides who really wants to
know what crazy ramblings are rolling around in other people's heads?This teabowl with its mottled marks is a classic example of what I am talking
about, these marks are more than decoration and have meaning though not all marks do. I slipped this
simple stoneware in a white slip and then once almost dry I incised, carved the
marks around the bowl to create lines that are not crisp and show areas of
chipping and roughness, once bisque I glazed this in an Oribe variant and added
iron over areas of the bowl to create a rich texture that has a nice range of
effects especially in the sunlight.
"Five exclamation marks, the
sure sign of an insane mind." Sir Terence (Terry) John Pratchett OBE
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