HAMISH JACKSON POTTERY

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WOODFIRE, NC. International Wood-Firing Conference 2017, at STARworks and the Pottery Centre in Seagrove, North Carolina.

Hamish Jackson
The International Wood Fire Conference held at Starworks, NC, this past summer was a blast. Artists and speakers from all over the world congregated near the pottery town of Seagrove to present and discuss all aspects of firing clay with wood. The range of presentations, panel discussions, demonstrations and lectures was amazing. Just to name the plenary speakers shows the calibre of the event: Peter Callas, Louise Cort, Henry Glassie, Mark Hewitt, Anne Mette Hjortshoj, Robert Hunter,  Sequoia Miller, and Jack Troy. Without going in to obscene amounts of detail about all the talks etc., at the conference I'll just share some of my personal highlights. 

The conference kicked off with a barbeque and the Great Pots exhibit at the Pottery Centre. There was a buzz in the air. Everyone had just arrived and was excited for the weekend to come. The show was fabulous, but I didn't get a chance to really explore it until later on -- I wrote a post about it here. 

Before the conference began, Stillman and I had been at Starworks helping clean the place up, and had seen Alexandra Engelfreit at work on her massive sculpture by the clay factory. She did not have a firing crew lined up so we stepped in, spending a couple of nights helping her fire the work. 

Stillman stoking the left hand side of the kiln.


Action shot-stoking the side and front simultaneously.

The piece was about 10 x 25 feet, and made from 20 tonnes of local NC clay (cameron). Alexandra wet the clay and  worked it with her body into the hillside, then slipped it with iron rich okeweemee clay. The kiln was an amazing construction of fibre hung on metal poles, which Andres Allik helped build. We had no idea if we would be able to get it up to temperature, and had to do some quick problem solving, such as creating more draw for the kiln by constructing a chimney out of two empty barrels. The other main problem was sourcing wood. Eddie Bernard of Wet Dog Glass came through with a whole bunch of pallets late on Friday evening, fetching them and breaking them up with his team. By lunchtime the next day, most of the wood was gone and cone 11 was half over in the front of the kiln. Done.

Cooling and almost ready to be unwrapped.


The finished piece with Alexandra at the top end, cleaning up.


Alexandra was very happy with the results-especially the variety of surface effects achieved.


Close up. 

Moving on to other highlights... 

Henry Glassie gave a wonderful lecture discussing wood firing potters from various cultures. He provided insights into some of the workshops outlined in his book The Potter's Art, which I highly recommend. One particular section that comes to mind was his discussion of  kalshis, which are made in Bangladesh for carrying and storing water. The potters there create two entirely different lines of the same form in the same kiln by reducing or oxidising them. One comes out orange and the other nearly black. Some people like the orange ones for their water and some the black, so they make both. 

Henry takes all of his pictures with a film camera and writes his books out long hand. Old school.

Peter Callas showed a choppy art video of him and Peter Voulkos working in the studio together. A  twangy discordant Tom Waits set the mood in the background. Seeing Voulkous ripping, bodging, poking, prodding, adding, and subtracting clay on his mad forms was fascinating, as were Callas' additional comments on that time in his life. Seeing the kiln loading and firing was a treat too.

Peter Callas,  Hot Pocket. Anagama fired, stoneware, 2017. $5000.

Someone I had not heard of before the conference was Ryuichi Kakurezaki. His presentation and demonstrations were spectacular. His deft, energetic forms were some of my favourites. I remember one slide of an asymmetric vase, shaped (in an abstract way) like a hare, about to leap into the air. Other vessels sat low on their legs, taking slow steps. Almost every shape was a surprise. As an apprentice in Japan, he said he spent two or three years simply cutting clay and pulling rocks out for his master. He has a three-chambered anagama kiln and uses mostly "garbage clay" to make his work.

Ryuchi's saki bottles.

There were so many little gems during the weekend. There was a whole panel on WADDING, and one on cooling cycles! Yes. That's what I'm talking about. Specifics! NCECA could use more panels on pressing topics such as these. 

There were some great demonstrations too...

Herve Rousseau and Kevin Lips demonstrating together.


Herve and Kevin moving a piece. 


Large fermentation crock made by Daniel Johnston in his demo.


Magdalene Odundo demo pots (building blocks for her pieces).

Ibrahim Said demo pots. 

Ben Owen III demo pots.

To end the conference, Jack Troy gave a rousing speech which included a plethora of apt quotations, such as this one from Margaret Atwood: "Wanting to meet an author because you like what they've written is like wanting to meet a duck because you like pate." He talked about "felt learning" and how using your own pots is like talking to yourself. He also threw out there, "pitchers ought to feel empty!" I was pretty tired by this point in the proceedings, but these sentiments hit home.

Perhaps the best part of the conference were the exhibitions. There was an installation by Daniel Johnston and a whole exhibit about the wild clay of North Carolina. I will be writing a separate post about each of these in the near future.

But the largest exhibit was a selection of work brought by the 60 or so presenters. The exhibition of their work was very extensive and provided a lot of inspiration.  I didn't manage to take a picture of every single pot on display, but I got almost all of them. I hope they serve as a record of the outstanding exhibition for those who saw it, and a window into the art of some of these artists for people who couldn't attend. The artists names are linked to their websites.

Apologies for the quality of some of the pictures -- I was rushing around at the very end of the conference trying to snap a picture of each before heading to help set up at the Hewitt Pottery for the "after-burn." The party was an exuberant end to the conference with great chats and VIP access to the disco in the kiln. But now, without further ado, here are the pots...

Hitomi Shibata,  Zero. Wood-salt fired, STARworks clay, Cone 11, 2016. $1200.



Hitomi Shibata,  Flower Shaped Large Bowl. Wood-salt fired, STARworks clay, cone 11, 2010. $500.



Hitomi Shibata, A Jar. STARworks clay, Cone 13, 2015. NFS


Sandra Lockwood, Morphogenic Bowl. Wood fired and salt glazed, 2016. $1200.


Kate Johnston, Princess Tree Platter. Wood fired, local clay, salt glazed stoneware, 2017. $250.


Ken Sedberry, Rabbit. Wood fired for 18 hours in a single chamber sprung arch kiln with an external main firebox, sandblasted, 2017. $525.


Michael Hunt and Naomi Daglish, Tray. Wax resist, iron glaze, local stoneware, 2017. $125.


Michael Hunt and Naomi Daglish, Square Vase. Nuka glaze, wood fired local stoneware, 2017. $150.


Michael Hunt and Naomi Daglish, Bowl. Hakame slip, clear glazed local stoneware, 2017. $50.


Mark Shapiro, Jar with Geometric Circles. Wood fired, salt glazed stoneware, 2017. $320.
Mark Shapiro,  Small Mugs. Wood fired, salt glazed stoneware, 2017. $35 each.


Mark Shapiro,  Covered Box. Wood fired, salt glazed stoneware, 2017. $400.


Dian Magie, Sushi Plate. Wood fired to Cone 11 with pine, pear and oak, 2017. $48 each.


Dian Magie,  Fingers of Ash. Wood fired to Cone 11 with pine, pear and oak, 2017. $140.
Dian Magie,  Calico Bottle. Wood fired Okeewemee medium with slips, shino, 2017. $120 each.


Ken Sedberry, Large Oval Trout. Wood fired for 18 hours in a single chamber sprung arch kiln with an external main firebox, 2017. $225.


Eric Knoche, Miscellaneous Symbols and Tools. Wood fired stoneware with slips, 2016. $1800.



Tara Wilson, Basket. Wood fired stoneware, 2017. $450.


Simon Levin, Ripped Plate. Anagama fired stoneware, 2016. $120.


Simon Levin,  Orange Bowl. Anagama fired upside down, 2017. $72.


Linda Christianson, Beaker Ewer. Wood fired 2nd chamber of Noborigama, 2017. $115.



Linda Christianson, Striped Ewer. Wood fired 1st chamber of Noborigama with Bourry box, 2017. $175.


Linda Christianson,  Kitchen Bucket. Wood fired 1st chamber of Noborigama with Bourry Box, 2017. $225.


Josh Copus, Stone Vessel, Woodfired Wild Clay Blend, 2017. $400.


Josh Copus,  Stone Vessel, Woodfired Wild Clay Blend, 2017. $600.



Josh Copus,  Stone Vessel, Woodfired Wild Clay Blend, 2017. $900.



Anna Partna, Spiral Form. Woodfired STARworks Clay, 2016. $350.



Anna Partna,  Venus I. Fired in collaboration with David Stuempfle in his wood kiln, 2016. $400.
Anna Partna,  Venus II. Fired in collaboration with David Stuempfle in his wood kiln, 2016. $400.


Judith Duff,  Tall Bottle. Shigaraki style clay fired to Cone 12, 2016. $900.
Judith Duff, Cut Vase. Shigaraki style clay fired to Cone 12, 2016. $750.



Judith Duff,  Oval Vessel. Shigaraki style clay fired to Cone 12, 2015. NFS.


Courtney Martin, Collaborative Platter w/ Jason Bige. Cross draft wood kiln, light salt, 2017. $275.


Randy Johnston, Multiple Spoon Form. Wood Fired Kaolin slip, natural ash glaze, 2017. $3000.


Alix Brodeur, Little Bud Vase, Iron rich clay, wood fired, 2016. $85.
Alix Brodeur, Bud Vase, Iron rich clay, wood fired, 2016. $85.


Justin Lambert, Teapot. Wood fired to cone 10, Porcelain blend, 60 hours, 2017. $175.
Justin Lambert, Jug with Spout. Wood fired to cone 10, Porcelain blend, 2017. $100.


Shane Mickey, Striped Bottle. Wood and soda fired, white stoneware, oribe glaze with underglaze deco, 2017. $130.
Shane Mickey,  Amber Gnome Jar. Wood and soda fired, white stoneware, amber celadon glaze with underglaze deco, 2016. $160.


Vicky Smith, Extinct Species: Gray Heron last sighted 1999. Wood fired stoneware with porcelain slip, 2017. $550.


Fred Johnston, Jar. Beekeeper Motif Decals from Jindezhen, 2017. $650.


Fred Johnston, Pink Shino Vase. 2017. $225.


Willi Singleton, Tall Bottle/Vase. Wood fired applied ash glazes, 2016. $650.
Willi Singleton, Round  Vase. Wood fired applied ash glazes, 2016. $500.


Willi Singleton,  Teapot and Teacups. Wood fired applied ash glazes, 2016. $350.



Joey Sheehan, Pilsner. Wood fired in train chamber, 2016. $90.
Joey Sheehan, Vase. Wood fired in train with soda flashing, 2017. NFS.



J oey Sheehan,  Platter. Wood fired with glaze, 2017. $275.



Ben Owen III, Pierced Pear Vase. Anagama fired, iron and ash glaze, local stoneware 2017. NFS.


Ben Owen III,  Genie Bottle. Copper and ash glaze, local stoneware 2017. $3600.


Mark Hewitt, Large Vase. Ash and salt glaze, wood fired local stoneware, 2017. NFS.



David Stuempfle, Pitcher. Wood fired, salt glazes, local stoneware, 2005. NFS.
David Stuempfle, Covered Jar. Wood fired, glazed, local stoneware, 2017. $600.


Shawn Ireland, Tower Vase. Wood fired, raw glazed, single fired, local materials, 2016. $175.


Shawn Ireland,  Double Snack Bowl. Wood fired, raw glazed, single fired, local materials, 2016. $95.



David Stuempfle,  Covered Jar. Wood fired, natural ash glaze, local stoneware, 2017. $600.



Takuro Shibata, Triangle Vase. NC clay, ash glaze, Cone 11, wood-salt fired, 2016. $1000.


Takuro Shibata, Platter. NC wild clay, Cone 12, wood fired, 2015. $400.



Takuro Shibata,  Platter. VA wild clay, Cone 12, wood fired, 2015. $400.


Ben Richardson, Foliage Vase-Headland Series. Wood fired, 2016. $450.
Ben Richardson,  Foliage Vase-Headland Series. Wood fired, 2016. $700.


Logan Wannamaker, Yunomi. Wood fired. 2016. $56.
Logan Wannamaker,  Sculpture. Charcoal. 2016. $485.


Will Dickert,  Small Jar. Porcelainous stoneware, natural ash glaze and shino type glaze liner, wood fired to cone 12, 2017. $110.




Will Dickert, Basket with Handles. NC stoneware, natural ash glaze, wood fired to cone 11, 2017. $595.



Will Dickert,  Basket, NC stoneware, high iron slip, wood fired to cone 12, 2017. $495.



Perry Haas, Blue Green Moon Jar. Wood fired, 2017. $900.
Perry Haas, White Moon Jar. Wood fired, 2017. $800.



Warren Frederick, Ovoid. Wood fired stoneware, natural ash glaze, 2016. $1500.


Catherine White, Shale Moon. Wood fired stoneware, natural ash glaze, 2016. $800.


Catherine White, Shale Kite. Wood fired stoneware, natural ash glaze, 2016. $800.


Warren Frederick, Shield Tray. Wood fired stoneware, natural ash glaze, 2016. $800.


I love this collection of pots. David Stuempfle did an excellent job orchestrating the pieces.

Another stunning selection of wood fired pots.

Pamela Owens, Jar with handles. Wood fired, lightly salted with glass runs, 2016. $250.


Vernon Owens, Candle Sticks in Black Oil Spot. Wood fired, glazed and salted, 2016. $245.


Travis Owens, Large Neck Vase, Commemorative Centennial piece. Wood fired, salt glazed, with copper overdip, 2017. $425.



Joseph Sand, Side Fired Wall Pillow, Wood fired, salt glaze, 2016. $550.



Lars Voltz, Serving Bowl. Wood fired stoneware, reduction cooled, 2017. $150.



Joseph Sand, Side Fired Vase. Wood fired, salt glaze, 2017. $165.


Joseph Sand, Side Fired Axe. Wood fired, salt glaze, 2016. $550.


Michael Mahan, Large Vase with Hedgerow Motif, High-iron clay slip etched, ash glaze, wood fired, 2017. $175.
Michael Mahan, Dinner plate with Hedgerow Motif, High-iron clay slip etched, ash glaze, wood fired, 2017. $40.
Michael Mahan,  Small Bowl with Hedgerow Motif, High-iron clay slip etched, ash glaze, wood fired, 2017. $29.


Sid Luck, Face Jug. Wood fired, salt glazed, 2017. $125.
Sid Luck, Water Jug. Wood fired, salt glazed, 2017. $200.
Sid Luck, Drunkerds Jug. Wood fired, salt glazed, 2017. $200.


Andrew Stephenson, Vase With Glass Runs. Wood fired and salt glazed, 2016. $285.
Chad Brown, Jar. 5 day wood firing, 2017. $775.


Mark Hewitt, Platter. Wood fired, salt glazed local stoneware, 2017. NFS.


Ingrid Allik, Flower Vessels. Glazed Woodfired Stoneware. 2017. $55-$85.


Jeff Shapiro, Sake Bottle, Pouring Vessels. Wood fired natural ash deposit, 2017. $550 each.



Ryuichi Kakurezaki, Various Sake Bottles, Wood fired, natural ash deposit, 2017. $1000.


Akira Satake, Sculptural Vase. Wood fired, natural ash glaze, train kiln, 2017. $3800.


Akira Satake,  Sculptural Vase. Wood fired, natural ash glaze, train kiln, 2016. $3900.


Akira Satake,  Sculptural Vase. Wood fired, natural ash glaze, train kiln, 2017. $4250.


Lindsay Oeasterritter, Bowl. Wood fired, reduction cooled, cone 10, 2017. $280.


Ashwini Bhat, Matrikas. Stoneware, fired in Anagama kiln. $4500.


Mark Hewitt, Large Vase. Local granite celadon glaze, wood fired local stoneware, 2017. NFS.


Anne Mette Hjortshoj, Spoons. Fired in Noborigama salt chamber with various slips and glazes, 2017. $300.


Anne Mette Hjortshoj,  Bowls. Fired in Noborigama salt chamber with various slips and glazes, 2017. $100 and $135.


Donna Craven, Tea Mug Faceted. Wood fired stoneware, flashing slip, ash glaze and salted, 2017. $30 each.


Matt Jones, Serving Bowl with Cobalt Brush-painted lizards. Wood fired stoneware, 2016. $120.
Matt Jones, Platter with Cobalt Brush-painted Fern. Wood fired stoneware, 2017. $200.
Matt Jones,  Pitcher with White Slip Trailing under Alkaline Glaze. Wood fired stoneware, 2017. $120.


Ben Owen III, Sung Style Jar. Anagama fired, ash and cobalt glaze, local stoneware, 2017. $475.


Mark Hewitt, Pitcher. Local granite celadon glaze, wood fired local stoneware, 2017. NFS.


Donna Craven, 2017. NFS.


Kate Johnston,  Tulipiere Candelabra. Wood salt fired, local clay and goldluster low-fired electric, 2017. $750.


Herve Rousseau, Pot. Henrichemont, France. 2017. $550.


Simon Levin,  Circular Plate. Anagama fired porcelain, 2016. NFS.