ceramic news jan 2023

As most of you know, lisa firer design production studio closed down due to covid and took I took a break from making ceramics. I’m beginning to explore how I might be in relationship to clay again, and took up Sarah Walters’ invitation to participate in an exhibition at her gallery. I made a small body of blue and white porcelain vessels for the show. After so many years working in a team with shared responsibilities, I have been reminded of all aspects of the process.  So often people will ask, “how long does it take to make this?” Well, from the very first step of making the paperclay, to tinting it with oxides and stains, to painting and making the slabs, to forming the vessels, sanding and finishing them, putting them through the first firing, applying the glaze and having the second firing, many, many, many hours went past!  Because cheap, mass-produced ceramics are so ubiquitous in our world, the process of hand-making ceramics can be invisible and overlooked. Add to this the challenges we face with our electricity crisis and soaring costs of raw materials, I hope this post will help clarify what an intense labour of love hand making ceramics is, and understand the value embedded in each piece. I plan to make small bodies of work going forward. It is good to be working according my own pace and schedule again. So, how long does it take to make this?…30 years and many hours! I’m also following other work directions so if mindfulness, movement and healing chronic pain interest you, please visit this part of my website