This one of a kind vase was built by hand through the coiling method. Rachel/Nkechi designed the vase to be able to be held from four directions with the finger-sized handles at the top, conjuring the idea of a compass. For the sgraffito technique, the clay must be set in the sun for a brief period to reach a “leather-hard” texture, then the darker clay is painted on and parts of it gouged out with a tool, to create the textural and rhythmic pattern around the center of the vase. The vase is then fired at cone 10, finished with a Steven Hill clear glaze, and re-fired at cone 10.
I use the term “pottery” instead of “ceramics,” to describe my clay work, as the term conjures handmade, more ancient methods of clay art rather than modern or more refined techniques. I want to celebrate the human touch on the clay, and as such, my pottery has an intentionality in the imperfections. Since I have launched my work as a potter after my 2016 name change, this is the ONLY medium that is signed “ND” on the bottom of the work, to honor my legal name Nkechi Diallo. My fine art career in painting, drawing, cut paper, and sculpture began in my teens, and I continue to sign my birth name Rachel Dolezal, or “RD,” for those bodies of work, for continuity purposes. Each piece of pottery is hand made, dried, fired, glazed, and re-fired at cone10, which is the hottest kiln. The glazes chosen are food-safe, and these pieces may be used in the oven, microwave, fridge or freezer safely. This vase holds water and is functional as well as emotive and decorative.
Sgrafitto Vase – Original Pottery by Rachel Dolezal
$125.00
Description
Title: Sgraffito Vase
Dimensions: 3.5×3.5×4.5″
This one of a kind vase was built by hand through the coiling method. Rachel/Nkechi designed the vase to be able to be held from four directions with the finger-sized handles at the top, conjuring the idea of a compass. For the sgraffito technique, the clay must be set in the sun for a brief period to reach a “leather-hard” texture, then the darker clay is painted on and parts of it gouged out with a tool, to create the textural and rhythmic pattern around the center of the vase. The vase is then fired at cone 10, finished with a Steven Hill clear glaze, and re-fired at cone 10.
I use the term “pottery” instead of “ceramics,” to describe my clay work, as the term conjures handmade, more ancient methods of clay art rather than modern or more refined techniques. I want to celebrate the human touch on the clay, and as such, my pottery has an intentionality in the imperfections. Since I have launched my work as a potter after my 2016 name change, this is the ONLY medium that is signed “ND” on the bottom of the work, to honor my legal name Nkechi Diallo. My fine art career in painting, drawing, cut paper, and sculpture began in my teens, and I continue to sign my birth name Rachel Dolezal, or “RD,” for those bodies of work, for continuity purposes. Each piece of pottery is hand made, dried, fired, glazed, and re-fired at cone10, which is the hottest kiln. The glazes chosen are food-safe, and these pieces may be used in the oven, microwave, fridge or freezer safely. This vase holds water and is functional as well as emotive and decorative.
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