The Colours of Fire
Sutton Taylor9th December to 6th January, 2023
9th December to 6th January, 2023
9th December to 6th January, 2023
The pieces in this exhibition all involve the process of Reduced In-glaze Lustre -a complex specialized technique to form ,on the surface of a glaze a film of metal (usually gold silver or copper) or an iridescent sheen. If the glaze is saturated with a salt or fine particles of the metal then an opaque surface results and dilutions of the metals produce iridescence or isolations of individual colours from the multicolored iridescence. This is a complex and specialised technique that dates back to the 9th Century AD.
Sutton has been working in extremely harsh weather conditions down West. Despite this, this small intimate collection, does not disappoint. Why? Because Taylor’s ability to move with the unpredictable, capricious and uncontrollable nature of the technique is astonishing. The window of opportunity when lustres form is tiny. The temperature in the kiln must be held at precisely the right temperature for the particular glaze being used, in exactly the correct degree of reduction (absence of oxygen). High humidity favours lustre development and high winds can be a problem in a combustion kiln. Despite enormous advances in kiln technology, digital temperature control and glaze analysis the process continues to defy reliable commercial production, companies and individual potters generally abandon the process discouraged by the seemingly capricious and uncontrollable nature of the technique and its accompanying failures.
“One could go on endlessly about the problems involved in firing lustres. There seems to be no end to them. However for me the rewards greatly outweigh the frustrations.
When the process works the colours and textures are thrilling and I feel the resulting pots are like no others. I must enjoy the challenge and wish I had another 50 years to perfect the process. Maybe one day I will.”
—Sutton Taylor 2023
This exhibition is open by appointment and viewing can be made either via email: [email protected] or by phone 01872 275757
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