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Ceramics
Swanica finds the connection with mother nature/earth and helps her in her creation through ceramic art. She is attracted by the warmth of the earthenware red clay and she uses white clay for alternative firing techniques and for red-yellow glaze crackle results. She expresses herself in round clay forms thrown on a wheel. Cutting and/or folding transform many pieces. Her designs are line/curve engraved in clay, in slips, template sprayed, brush-or hand-painted, or glaze decorations. They are abstract forms. These can be squares, lines or curves, complex or simple, but are always finding a balance in her ceramic piece. The glazes are transparent, glossy white, red or yellowish. She finds innovative ways for her wall art, thrown on the wheel or slab work, combining it with other natural materials, making it one harmonic artwork.
The pieces are fired in an electric kiln. Functional ware can be put in the dishwasher, but is not microwave or oven safe. Only the red glaze contains some lead. It is within food safety limits, but by law we have to notify you that you can not use it for wet foods and liquids.
Over the years she explored alternative glazing, kiln and firing techniques; Horsehair, Raku, Naked Raku, Pit, Saggar. Each firing offers something special and requires a deep understanding and interactive play to develop and master a unique technique and style by removing red hot pieces from the kiln and applying horsehair, or other materials, which then fume and result in exquisite colors.
She received the special Judges Award for her “Horsehair Vase” in the 6th Mashiko International Ceramics Competition 2006 of Japan. And of course wood firings are experienced in Japan!
Her finished pieces wish to stir the curiosity and imagination, and are completed by use, enjoyment and the passing of time.
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