CHIRASTUDIO Ceramic Mud
Mud, pushed to its solid limit makes the superficial function of tiles recalling the primitive Earth. The inner materials, the ancestral elements are now on the surface, melting and reacting in the hight temperature shocks, of the raku firing process. Chirastudio semi-vitreus tiles, with a water absorption inferior than 7%, are characterized by a great wear and slip resistance. Chirastudio ceramics are unique art pieces, an exclusive ceramic coating for any indoor or out-door wet area.
“From 1020°C to water temperature, the cosmic chemistry of changing elements. Cobalt from the skies, red from fire and chaos.�
Chira, Head Painter
1. From the Cave 4 x H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
2. From the Cave H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
3. From the Cave H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
4. From the Cave H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
5. Radiography I H 14,5 cm x L 14,5 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
5. Radiography II H 14,5 cm x L 14,5 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
5. Radiography III H 14,5 cm x L 14,5 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
5.6. Pond 2 x H 14,5 cm x L 14,5 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
7. Spit and Scar 35x H 14,5 cm x L 15,5 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides, sulfates, pigments. Raku firing.
8. Bites of the Orizon H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
GOLDEN FAULT Kintsugi, is a Japanese XV Century technique, means to repair with gold. It began with the emperor Shogun Ashikaga which wanted his broken porcelains repaired. His artisans used common nails to bring the pieces of his pottery back together but, after seeing the result, the emperor demanded a better looking technique. 9. Crocodile Tears H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin, golden leaf oxides and pigments. Raku firing
10. Motherboard I H 28 cm x L 7 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin, golden leaf, oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
11. Motherboard I-IV 4 xH 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
12. Untitled 16 x H 14,5cm x L 14,5 cm Stoneware, slip, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
13. Espreitar 12 x H 10 cm x L 10 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin, cobalt, oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
14. Tile Frame 2 x H 10 cm x L 10 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin, cobalt, oxides, lead and pigments. Raku firing.
BY THE FIRE Obvara i s a n E a st e r n - e u ro p e a n t e c h n i q u e, poss i b ly of the 19th-20th century. The reduction process, the cutting away oxygen needs a mixture of yeasts and sugar solved in water in order to achieve a sealed ceramic surface. Such combination of yeasts together with the temperature shock creates a texture that varies from black to brown to white.
15. By the Fire I 9 x H 4 cm x L 4 cm Raku Obvara firing
16. By the Fire II 36 x H 10 cm x L 10 cm Raku Obvara firing
17. Shelter of Fire and Spine 42 x H 14,5 cm x L 14,5 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides, sulfates and pigments. Raku firing.
5. From the Cave H 28 cm x L 28 cm Stoneware, copper, titanium, tin oxides and pigments. Raku firing.
Chirastudio ceramic tile are handmade in Lisbon. The stoneware body allows an extremely high wear and thermal shock resistance. Chira’s glazes composition and the semi -vitreous coating permit the installation in areas that may get wet on occasion, but are unlikely to see constant or standing water. Backsplashes or countertops, for example. Each tile is resistant to stains from pet accidents, wear and tear from children playing.
Chira is an Italian artist currently living and working in Lisbon as a Ph.D researcher. In her investigation, which sees the material as the protagonist in a dialogue between prehistory and the contemporary, she works with various materials. Furthermore, she has illustrated children books and is exhibiting in an ever increasing number of european art galleries.
www.chirastudio.com Rua Cidade de Cardiff 54b 1170-095 Lisboa chirastudio