Formed using the coil-building method, one of the oldest ceramic techniques involving the layering of many rolled coils of clay. Features a hand-brushed slip surface decoration.
This vase has been fired in a water reduction anagama – a Japanese style kiln. The wood kiln is stoked continuously by a team of ceramic artists for several days, before being closed to allow it to cool slowly (48-72 hrs). The wood ash settles on the surfaces, melting at the extreme temperatures and becoming a ‘natural glaze’ (the shine you see here). This piece was fired for 80 hrs before cooling.
Light toffee coloured Australian clay, stone inclusions, unglazed exterior, interior tenmoku glaze. Stoneware. Wood fired to cone 13. Hand Initialled and dated ‘19.
H 15.5 X W 8.3 (cm).
About the artist:
Carragh Amos, née Knapp, was born in Auckland, New Zealand. Her rural childhood established a strong connection with natural materials.
Amos holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts Hons (1st Class) from Elam School of Fine Arts. Despite intending to become a painter, Amos focused on sculpture after experiencing strong emotions when viewing forms in space. Her thesis and ceramic-based graduate exhibition 'Handmade Aesthetics' considered the appeal of the handmade.
In 2014 Amos relocated to Wellington and laid a technical foundation at the Wellington Potters Association. She also held her first solo exhibition - Hand Labour (2015).
Amos has lived in various international cities including Singapore and Montréal. In Canada she built a body of work while sharing a ceramic studio under Atelier Creatifs. These works aimed to conjure emotions through form. Travelling throughout Japan had an especially profound influence - following this trip she adopted the reductive method of kurinuki. Returning to Singapore soon afterward (2019), Amos also found an influential mentor - wood-firer Abraham Ling.
Carragh Amos' practice moves between fine art and functional craft. Her pieces are influenced by historical pottery of the wider Asian region. Current work celebrates process, labour, and action through hand-built ceramics.