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I'd never tried raku before, but it sounded like an exciting process. So when I found a local raku artist with kiln space to rent, the choice was obvious. Here the attempt was to make a mildly abstract mask of a scraggly old man. Rolled slab served as a beginning mount for wadded fixtures that became the more specific features. As is often the case, the eyes are my favorite because it is through them that we can see the real character of mask expressed. Despite its structural weakness, the stumpy little beard at the bottom miraculously survived the rapid firing and cooling process. Then, at a later date, the wind blew this mask off of a table and the beard broke clean off - this, I believe, is what is known as "irony."

Ceramicist, Mask Maker

Black and White Mask #12
Schmetterling, 2006
One-Winged Angel, 2003
Shrouded Face, 2004
Bearded Man, 2005
Oh!, 2004
Primitive Mask, 2004
Cracked Eye Raku Mask, 2005
Old Man (white), 2004