Govanhill Baths Ceramics

30 March, 2020

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Greetings from Govanhill Baths Ceramics

Whilst our studio is shut in compliance with Government recommendations, we are still working on delivering new experiences, equipment and programming.

Some upcoming changes we are implementing include: a new floor finish, soundproofing, some new workbenches, and a clay extruder. In addition, we are in the process of purchasing a new electric kiln and a raku kiln for some fun experimental firings.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for some inspiration while at home, keep an eye on our social media, where we will post tips and techniques for handbuilding over the coming weeks.

Be well and keep potting,
Frances and Adam

Free Packs of Clay

Govanhill Baths Ceramics is proud to be able to offer free 2kg packs of clay for you to experiment with. If you are interested in receiving a contact-free delivery of clay, please fill in the form below and we will contact you with a delivery schedule.

If you’d like to donate to us please follow the link below:
Click to donate now at www.virginmoneygiving.com

Greetings from Govanhill Baths Ceramics

Whilst our studio is shut in compliance with Government recommendations, we are still working on delivering new experiences, equipment and programming.

Some upcoming changes we are implementing include: a new floor finish, soundproofing, some new workbenches, and a clay extruder. In addition, we are in the process of purchasing a new electric kiln and a raku kiln for some fun experimental firings.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for some inspiration while at home, keep an eye on our social media, where we will post tips and techniques for handbuilding over the coming weeks.

Be well and keep potting,
Frances and Adam

Tea bowl with crane design, raku ware by Ryōnyū (Raku IX), 1810–38

Raku

You may have heard that Deepend Ceramics will be getting a Raku kiln this year, so we thought we’d share some history, trivia and techniques to help you prepare to join one of our Raku parties.

Originating in 16th century, Japan, Raku (translated as ‘pleasure’ or ‘enjoyment’) is a firing process that embraces novelty, potential failure, and happy accidents. Bernard Leach was the first Briton to promote Raku in the UK back in 1922. In the 1960s, American potter Paul Soldner first introduced the reduction firing techniques now known as Western Raku.

Raku was embraced by Zen Buddhist monks because it emblematised many of the tenets of their beliefs, including the unexpected, relinquishing control and impermanence.

Rakuware is traditionally handbuilt rather than thrown.

There is no special glaze or glazing technique in Raku, although heavily grogged clays are better because they can withstand thermal shock.
In Western Raku, works are glazed and rapidly heated in a kiln. Once red-hot, the works are pulled from the kiln and plunged into combustible material. This new environment causes chemical changes to create spontaneous patterns and textures. Because Raku firings are so exciting, it’s done as a party with participants and viewers gathering together to witness the dynamic changes on the body of the works.

So if you’re interested in exploring this technique, keep looking here to find out when we are hosting a Raku party in the future.

(Photograph: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Gift of Leslie Prince Salzman (M.2007.7.2); www.lacma.org)

Exhibition

The Pottery Club is working towards an exhibition in Ibrox Library organised by member Thomas Wall who works there. We are creating pieces
related in some way to pieces of literature or other writing. We have a piece of Russian poetry by Alexandra Blok by Sophie, something French from Cecile, the Moomins from Kim and a little bit of Nietzsche from Thomas himself. A few Pottery Clubbers ideas are pictured here.