It's been eventful and traumatic

Sorry for not having posted before this, everyone. It's been a very eventful nine months since my last post here. Apart from trying out new stuff, I've also been busy looking into getting my own little studio residence, and finally, I'll be moving in around Christmas. I wanted to interview other potters in Penang, too, but we've all be at sixes and sevens over the impending closure of our Japanese pottery class so that's another reason I've had to look for my own studio and living space. 

I'm thinking of buying a wheel once I've got settled in - and maybe, if I can afford it, an electric kiln as well though that's a rather long shot considering the limitations imposed by where I'll be staying. The good news, however, is that I've already got enquiries about teaching pottery and clay modelling, so I might be able to take a chance and get my own small kiln after all. Who knows? I'm still a long way from setting up shop, yet.

PS

Sorry for the grammatical error in my picture. That's what I get from typing on flu medication (and then not editing before I flatten the JPEG image.) Mea culpa.

Pat Jaffray's First Firing in Penang!

Pat Jaffray moved here from Canada. He's a studio potter and recently got his own kiln. Here are some pictures from his first glaze firing in Penang. I'm hoping to interview him for an article about his personal pottery aesthetics and techniques, so check back here soon!

Throwing a Chinese gourd on the wheel

The Chinese also have a rich history of pottery and it is very well-documented already so I can't say anything authoritative about it but here's a fun video I found of a young, modern Chinese potter demonstrating a very ancient shape.

 

The gourd is a popular symbol in Chinese myth and legend and  represents a long life as traditionally, the pills of immortality were kept in a jade gourd. It shouldn't be surprising that Chinese potters, artists, sculptors and embroiderers should include its image in almost everything they made.

 

US Pottery History

Here are two interesting videos about the development of American pottery. I find it an interesting contrast to the Japanese ceramic history videos I posted earlier, especially in the area of maintaining traditions while expanding the artistic side of pottery. 

Here's Part Two.