Saggar Ware

I am beginning to make use of the raku kiln built in the garden some months ago. There are so many different naked raku techniques I am eager to experiment with. For now it’s the saggar process which involves the surface treatment of the bisqued pot using numerous materials that range from chemicals such as Ferric Chloride to banana skins, seaweed and sawdust to name just a few. These materials are placed on the pot, which is then wrapped in aluminium alfoil in this instance, and fired in the raku kiln. The wrapping creates a reduction atmosphere against the pot as the temperatures rise, which creates various chemical reactions from the materials inside that are burning while starved of oxygen. As a result of this process, permanent marks are made on the pot. Once it has cooled and been cleaned, the pot is then treated with beeswax to enhance the saggar effect. At this early stage of my raku career, I have little, if any, control over the final result. I have been excited by the pots that have emerged to date and look forward to experimenting and exploring alternate firing processes further in 2023.

These pots have just landed in the Gallery Shop at NorthSite Contemporary Arts Cairns Qld Australia