Raku Collection | Fire + Magic

R A K U

The new collection explores this daring and unpredictable ancient Japanese technique. Pieces are prepared with glazes special to the raku process. Instead of a controlled, electric kiln, raku requires a fuel-burning kiln - a much faster heating using fire. Pulled from the kiln red-hot, pieces are quickly placed in combustible materials which burst into flames upon contact. It is then smothered with a container to deprive the set up of oxygen, and immediately cooled down.

A number of variations on this process of fire, quick temperature change, and oxygen deprivation leads to endless variations in colors and surface effects. Results can never be repeated; each piece is truly an original.

Working in raku requires speed, intuition, a collaboration with all four elements, and a trust in the natural process. Because of the quick temperature change, the risk of losing work to breakage and explosion is much higher with this process; but the rewarding results are something close to magic.

Peter Syak, renowned raku master, introduced me to the process. All raku pieces in the collection were fired in his outdoor kiln.