When technological advancements open doors to an abundance of new opportunities, why do we continue to utilize, or even celebrate, more traditional or historic methods?

Vessels + Sticks is proud to explore this question within the context of ceramic art through the wood fired ceramic works of eight artists: Bruce Cochrane, Robin DuPont, Ilona Golovina, Michelle Grimm, Jeff Shapiro, Emma Smith, Catherine Thomas, and Chala Toprak. These eight ceramic artists have chosen to fire their works in wood kilns, an ancient method of firing that originated thousands of years ago.

Wood fired kilns began as open pits, where clay pieces were covered with burning wood, and they have evolved in sophistication, as have alternative methods of firing. Gas and electric kilns are more accessible, and often more predictable, than wood kilns, which are inherently challenging to operate. Wood kilns require specific technical knowledge, a large outdoor space, fuel (wood), and a team of people. It’s a complicated process, to say the least.

So why the continued dedication to, and fascination with, wood firing as a ceramic art practice? The reasons are as individual as the artists themselves. Motivations include; the desire to preserve traditional methods of making; a dedication to slow making and the celebration of each step in the process; the curiosity to explore and learn a new art process; the quest for an artistic outcome that can only be achieved with fire and ash; a yearning for connection with the natural elements involved in working with clay - earth, air, water and fire.

Whatever the motivation, these eight artists have taken a historic method and reinterpreted it to have relevance in a contemporary context. As art typically exemplifies, the reinterpretation has relevance beyond an art context . What to preserve from the past? What to reinvent? These decisions are unique and personal and are reflected in the diversity of wood fired ceramic works presented in the exhibition.

Participating Artist Bios.