Last Friday we went to an exhibit and artist demonstration by Gerald
Pinto at Nativa Gallery in Old Town. He combines traditional Navajo
pottery techniques and materials with Japanese Raku methods and some
experimentation to create contemporary pieces.
While we were there, he had a piece of "greenware" on the wheel and demonstrated how he polished the surface and then cut the design into the pot.
His new line, called "Equinox," are the black and white pieces shown in this photo. He uses both glossy and matte glazes, copper wire and turquoise stone accents. Here's what Gerald says about "Equinox":
"Equinox" is my new series for spring/summer 2007 and is still in its experimental stage. Equinox represents the balance between light and darkness or day and night. It's the time of year when the sun crosses the equator making our day and night equal time lengths. Whether it's the autumnal or spring equinox, it represents a change of the seasons and eternal balance.
Working with these glazes has been new to me, but has been very interesting. These are kiln fired pieces, but are taken out while still hot. This produces the crackle over the entire surface, which is later enhanced with a second firing, using carbon heavy fuels, such as cow and horse manure and pine wood chips. This is quickly extinguished at its peak and this reduction is what fills in the non-glazed surface, creating a matte black color. Trying new shapes and colors as I progress will be fun and exciting. Using this double firing technique is risky and time consuming, but well worth the risk. Each piece is finished with Kingman green turquoise and copper wire inlay."
I was particularly taken by his earlier pieces, which are a brown-gray
color and smell heavenly--when he fires them, he uses dried juniper
twigs.
Nativa Gallery
2104 Charlevoix Street
Albuquerque, NM
(505) 247-0399
Comments