Raku Firing with Amy Benzie & Kevin Andrew Morris from ACS

Program Overview

This one-day outdoor workshop introduces participants to Raku firing, a low-temperature earthenware firing technique. Guided by Aberdeen Ceramics Studio, participants will glaze and fire their own bisque work, learning about the rapid firing cycle and the effects of fire on clay. The workshop is suitable for beginners and those seeking to expand their clay skills. Essential materials are provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their own bisque-fired work.

Program Outline

Outline:

This one-day workshop will take place outdoors and will be centred around the use of our own outdoor kiln. Provided is the opportunity to learn the process of Raku firing. Raku is a low temperature earthenware firing and involves a rapid firing cycle. This is a direct process used to capture rapid results and ultimately brings the maker close in touch with fire and its effects on clay. Guided by two of the team from Aberdeen Ceramics Studio, participants can glaze work together as a group prior to loading the kiln and firing their own work. A discussion around the process of firing will take place whilst observing your active outdoor firing. Participants can then expect to see their own work being drawn from the red-hot kiln. Whilst your work is still hot, you are invited to learn how pieces can be treated in a number of different ways, this can include plunging your work into sawdust (or other combustible material) or quenching your work directly into water. Participants are required to bring their own bisque work ready to glaze and fire. It is essential that all work is bisque fired ahead of this workshop. This can involve work made during our previous Art Weekenders or can involve individuals own premade, bisque fired work. The process of raku firing will be repeated during the day enabling participants to fire one or two of their own pieces. Participants are encouraged to bring more work than needed where possible with an estimated maximum of 25 litres of work each. Learning Methods This course will be delivered on campus from 10:00 - 16:00. Participants are asked to prepare for an outdoor workshop. Activity Summary Minimum of 15 students, maximum of 20 in the group 6 hours of teaching in total over 1 day, 10:00 - 16:00 with a 30 minute lunch break and 15 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon.

Assessment:

This course is not formally assessed.

Teaching:

Delivering this workshop are two of the team from Aberdeen Ceramics Studio. Kevin Andrew Morris Kevin Andrew Morris, referred to as a ‘Nomadic Ceramicist’ is motivated by an investigation of his own family heritage and material culture. His work engages with concepts of craft, material, and place. Based in Aberdeen, Morris exhibits work both nationally and internationally, working with a range of artists, institutions, and various public projects. Amy Benzie Amy Benzie is a ceramic maker and a creative facilitator living and working in Torry, Aberdeen. Benzie’s curiosity lies in the alchemy of glaze recipes and firing. The element of unpredictability that comes from investigating with her materials, and the exchanges between art and science greatly inform the otherworldly forms and textures of her work. Aberdeen Ceramics Studio Aberdeen Ceramics Studio is a team of six passionate ceramicists and potters who share a vision to make working with ceramics available to everyone in the North East of Scotland. The team is made up of Aimee Morris, AJ Simpson, Amy Benzie, Celda Tyndall, Kevin Andrew Morris and Matthew Wilcock. Aberdeen Ceramic Studio - Facebook Aberdeen Ceramic Studio - Instagram

Other:

Participants are invited to bring their own bisque fired work to our Raku Art Weekender with Aberdeen Ceramics Studio. This workshop will take place outdoors where you will be introduced to the process of Raku; a Japanese style of pottery that involves low temperature earthenware firing combined with a rapid firing cycle. The workshop is suitable for beginners and those with an interest in expanding their clay skills. Essential core materials are provided. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided, however participants should bring their own lunch as most catering outlets on campus are closed during the weekend. If minimum participant numbers for this course are not met, the course will be cancelled and participants will receive a full refund.