Dudley Smith Ceramics

Smoke Fired CeramicsThe art of flames captured in clay

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About me

I have always had a love for hand made ceramics.Like many people, I used to watch programmes like 'The Generation Game' where contestants would try and throw pots on the wheel. Invariably ending up in a complete mess and with a deformed ashtray.Around 2003 I decided to give it a try myself. I joined a local evening class and learnt how to make pinch pots, coiling and slab building.

After a couple more evening class courses and completing an NFCE course, I took an intensive throwing course with Richard Phethean. From that point on I was hooked.Soon afterwards I invested in a wheel and kiln and have been experimenting with different styles, materials and techniques ever since.I have been developing my smoke fired range for several years now. I'm a bit of a pyromaniac at heart, so this style really suits me.I love the way that it involves techniques which date back thousands of years. The combination of just clay and fire, without the use of glazes, strips the creative process to its prehistoric origins.For me, this is the most pure form of ceramics.

What are Smoke Fired Ceramics?

Unlike conventional ceramics, smoke fired ceramics do not use glaze.The colours come from smoke.The ceramics are fired with a variety of combustibles to a high temperature and the smoke produced soaks into the surfaces.In essence they are a snapshot of the heart of the fire captured in clay.Whilst the principals are basic, mastery of the craft is a life long pursuit.Countless factors such as the techniques, materials used, firing temperature, airflow, will all affect the final finish, therefore every piece is unique.The myriad of factors involved means that the creator can influence the outcome, but never control it.

The process

The process involved in making smoke fired ceramics dates back to the origins of pottery, combining the elements of clay, water and fire in a similar way the very first potters would have done.The ceramic pieces are made from stoneware clay which is thrown on a wheel. When 'leather hard' the piece is 'turned' (trimmed) to remove excess clay and finish its form.

It is then left to dry further. Just before it is completely dry it is burnished with a small polished stone to give it a smooth shiny surface.The ceramics are then bisque fired in an electric kiln to 1000 degrees Celsius. This is to help reduce the number of breakages from thermal shock during the smoke firing.

The smoke firing is where the magic happens. The pieces are incinerated with a mixture of combustibles such as wood, sawdust, straw, seaweed and various oxides. The smoke produced penetrates the clay and give the ceramics the different colours.The colours produced depend upon many factors such as the combustibles used, temperature reached, the amount of oxygen in the kiln during firing. No two firings are ever the same and every piece is unique. It is not unusual for one piece to have completely different colourings to another, even from the same smoke firing.

Lastly, the ceramics are cleaned of any ash and polished with wax. It is only the wax is applied that I can see the true variety of colours and patterns that the pieces have.The pieces are porous (they have to be, otherwise they wouldn’t absorb the smoke) and are therefore decorative only.My pieces are very tactile and at exhibitions I actively encourage people to handle them, which people have said makes a refreshing change in a world where we are told not to touch.

Contact Me

Or email me at: dmsmith2626@gmail.com