In an email exchange I was
recently asked if I was going to or at least close to running out of pictures
of pots to which my answer was simple, "I hope not". To that end I
went to a file and found a group of quite a few pictures and this curious plate
surfaced. This thrown, triangular plate was made and fired at Kent State (KSU)
back in the early 90s by Kirk Mangus. I was working there at the time and Kirk
decided to demo a few things of which this plate was one of them, pulling out
the clay and as the plates circled the wheel he would apply uneven pressure at
the three point in affect throwing a triangle. The next day or so he set about
tooling the piece which has that distinctive Mangus flare and then a week or so
later it along with a lot of pots made it into the anagama and away we go.
Fired upside down the silvery flashy creates a surface that appears perpetually
wet and in some degree of motion. I am sure there are a number of potters who
throw this way and fire wood kilns but you just have to admit, Kirk Mangus was
truly one of a kind, inspired, fun and an unending fount of experience and
knowledge.
.JPG)