The ART of RAKU

4th - 26th June, 2008

Raku, the Japanese expression meaning enjoyment or happiness has many connotations. It is the name given to the particular technique, a philosophical state of mind and a religious endeavour - or possibly a combination of all three.

The raku process involves the rapid firing and cooling of the ware, with the pots being removed red hot from the kiln and is probably the most exciting and spectacular of all pottery techniques. The raku kiln is often seen as a symbol of experimental involvement with heat and ceramic, in contrast to the production kiln and its repetitious control. The popularity of raku has grown rapidly in recent years and the introduction of morecontrollable, efficient and portable ceramic fibre kilns has made this technique more accessible to potters

This program is open to all artists and will feature invited masters demonstrating their techniques and a programme of slide shows and talks by the participants.

Invited artists include:

Steve Mattison (GB and ICS)
My involvement with raku came from a desire to use a firing process which required a far more direct and personal input. The work consists mainly of press moulded and handbuilt vessel forms, which I develop in series, allowing me to investigate the limitations of the applied surface decoration, whether this be contrasts of tone, texture, glazed and unglazed areas or the interplay of simple, almost classical forms with the graphic, highly coloured decoration. All the pots are subjected to a heavy post firing reduction, usually in dry sawdust or straw.

It is in the ability to control the design, decoration and carbonising of the unglazed areas to a totally individual level, added to the inevitable and unpredictable movement of crazing and shadows across the surfaces that, for me, the intrigue of raku lies.

Steve Mattison website: www.stevemattison.com

Costs of participation

The cost of participating in this program is 189,000 Hungarian Forints and this includes your accommodation in a single room with shared facilities on a self catering basis, your studio space and use of all facilities. It does not include the cost of materials and firings which will be charged depending on how much you use.

Please email Steve at icshu@hotmail.com for an application form or if you have any questions.

International Ceramics Studio
H-6000 Kecskemét, Kápolna u.11, Hungary
tel: +36 76 486 867
email: icshu@hotmail.com