Ceramics

The dictionary defines ceramics as “the art or technology of making objects of clay and similar materials treated by firing”. Ceramics have been around for thousands upon thousands of years. It is thought that figurines were being produced by humans before civilizations were even formed; this could be as early as 24,000 BCE. Decorative tiles began being made in India and Mesopotamia circa 15,000 BCE. Functional pottery, such as vases, and clay bricks appeared about 5,000 years later. Over the next 10,000 years, glass and glaze were discovered. As technology grew more and more advanced, more uses for ceramics were discovered.

Three types of clay pottery are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Earthenware clay is the most common, due to its prevalence in nature and the fact that it has a low firing temperature. It has high amounts of iron oxide, causing the clay, to be tan, brown, or black when fired. Terracotta is one type of earthenware. Stoneware takes on the appearance of stone after being fired and absorbs glaze very well. It tends to be leak-proof, making it an attractive choice for much of the world’s functional pottery, It is used in many industrial ceramics and dinnerware. Porcelain is a type of clay commonly recognized as Chinese-style ceramics. It is made out of kaolin, or china clay. When it’s fired, it turns white and becomes very hard and smooth. It is very difficult to work with because of its high density and and high firing temperature.

Fine art and functional art are both categories of ceramics and art as a whole. However, functional art is something that is found commonly, such as a porcelain tea set. Fine art would be found in an art museum, like a Greek sculpture. Ceramic art can be either fine or functional depending on how it is composed

The three hand-building construction techniques are pinch, coil, and slab (see examples below).

Pinch:

Pinch pots are made by starting with a ball of clay. By pushing the thumb into the center of the clay, a bowl-like shape is created. Different shapes are created by smoothing the sides of the pot outwards, continuing to pinch.

Coil:

Coil pots are made by rolling clay into “snakes” about a quarter inch thick and winding it around a base. Every time another coil is added, it needs to be scored and slipped in order to be properly attached. By slightly adjusting the positioning of the coils, different shaped pots can be made.

Slab:

Slab pottery is made with a slab roller or a rolling pin. The slabs are then cut with a slab cutting tool. Slab pottery is easy to decorate due to its already smooth surface. Bas relief pottery is often made using the slab method.

Before you begin making pottery, it is important to wedge the clay. By hammering out air bubbles, you eliminate the possibility of explosions in the kiln. After you wedge the clay and form it into the appropriate shapes, you need to know how to join two pieces of clay. In  order to join clay together, the two surfaces need to be scored. This is done by taking any reasonably sharp object and dashing the surface to give it texture. It is also important to add slip, a water based liquid that contains partially liquified clay. This acts as a sort of glue for the pottery.

Using the wheel in ceramics is a way of making sculptures or other ceramic pieces relying primarily on a machine to shape it. It often gives a more professional texture and more evenly distributed clay.

Three stages of clay: leather hard, bone dry, bisqueware

Leather hard: clay can be molded into desired form

Bone dry: water has evaporated, still can be rehydrated and reshaped

Bisqueware: clay has been fired once and is ready for glazing

A kiln is a type of superheated oven used in firing ceramic pieces. Ceramic pieces need to be fired twice in the kiln, once before and once after glazing. Bisque firing is the first firing and makes the clay bisqueware.

Glaze is a type of paint that contains glass and is used in ceramics. It seals the piece by making it waterproof. Glaze also gives pieces their color.

Sophie Woodrow is a contemporary ceramic artist whose main subjects are animals. She displays animals in an anthropomorphized way and gives them life and purpose through her sculpting.

Jess Riva Cooper is a contemporary ceramic artist. Her work takes classical busts and covers the face in vines and other elements of nature to symbolize regeneration.

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/ceramics?s=t

http://ceramics.org/learn-about-ceramics/history-of-ceramics

http://www.pottery-magic.com/pottery/clay/clay_types.htm

http://www.lakesidepottery.com/HTML%20Text/Methods%20of%20Handbuilding.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/19/ceramics_n_6700068.html