Gemma Smale on the work

This work is a white stoneware, low iron clay body, thrown in two parts and joined. Fired across 3 days in the Oxford Anagama kiln, this piece sat in the firebox buried with ash. Ash deposits melted higher up the piece and flowed downward toward the base, creating dynamic surfaces across each face as the vessel is turned. Hues of purple and green can be seen across the surface from the oak and pine wood used to fuel the kiln.

This work is part of a larger body of work focused on revealing the surface of the clay body rather than full glaze coverage, reflecting material research into ash glazes and reducing reliance on mined materials to create functional work that moves toward sculpture through scale.