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“Squaring the Circle with Bluebird,” 16 in. (41
cm) in height, stoneware with kyanite added for thermal shock resistance, with
Riggs Terra Sigillata, bisque fired to Cone 07–06, then refired and removed
from the kiln at Cone 015 for horsehair application.
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November 5, 2007
Horsehair Raku
by Bob Hasselle | Read Comments (0)
I first started my current line of horsehair
raku while creating porcelain and redware torsos decorated with tattoos of
birds and animals. None of these works had the look that I was after, however.
The commercial look of clear glaze over red and white clay seemed to contradict
the neolithic imagery. So, I set them aside for about a year. Later I
discovered the horsehair process, which gave them the overall look and surface
patina that made them come alive for me.
PROCESS
In my work, I try to combine well-thought-out
vessel shapes with very simplified sculptures of birds and animals reduced
almost to gesture drawings in three dimensions. These sculptures are often wire
cut from a block of clay to approximate dimensions. I then carve away and add
clay until I get what I want. The finish can be attained with a hard-paste wax
(like Trewax) or sprayed on with polyurethane varnish. This can be tricky,
because you don’t want it to run.
 ABOUT HORSEHAIR RAKU
One’s choice of media has to do not only with
how to do it, but why to do it. All kinds of pit and raku firing appeal to me,
but if you want color control and a certain amount of compositional control,
the horsehair raku process has its advantages. With this control, you can
concentrate on the imagery and not worry whether that copper blush or carbon
deposit will occur where you want it to. Another aspect of the “why to do it”
is the creation of a coherent line of work that may start off being derivative
but ultimately becomes your own. This process happens more effectively when you
pay attention to your personal ideas and where they are leading you, and to the
input you are receiving from the medium.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONSee a term you weren’t quite sure of? Then visit
the Ceramic Arts Daily Glossary. To see more of Bob’s work, visit http://www.galleryc.net/robert-hasselle.html. Bob is also featured in our latest handbook, Raku, Pit & Barrel: Firing Techniques, that you can order today from the Bookstore. ON WEDNESDAY
Read about Bob Hasselle’s application and firing techniques
for using horsehair.
Read more about these related topics:
Firing Techniques Glazing Techniques & Glaze Recipes Ceramic Artists
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