Emerging Potters – 24
Susie Ramsay-Smith
Raku, pit or paper firing kilns - Faster to a lower earthenware 800-1000¹C then reduction atmosphere producing crackle/smoke effect surfaces. These can use gas, wood offcuts or recycled waste products eg. newspapers, shavings or sawdust, from a nearby sawmill. These are pyrotechnic fun, sustainable processes but producing semifunctional ceramics. One way to eliminate one firing processes is to ‘raw’ glaze, leaving out the biscuit stage. This saves time and fuel, but the pot is glazed fragile and unfired. These slip glazes need higher proportions of clay to cope with the shrinkage, but once mastered would be a huge step towards sustainable methodology. Few complete pottery clays are now mined in England and are rarely origin labelled, caused by lack of demand after late 20thC collapse of Stoke’s ceramic industry. Water; a precious resource, necessary for soaking raw clay, throwing, glazes and washing tools. Studios need settling-pits for the sediment and surface water should be collected for the garden, or re-used in the studio. The kiln new/used, should be as large as affordable, scrutinize manufacturers’ environmental credentials beforehand. An electric throwing wheel isn’t vital if there’s a serviceable kick-wheel alternative. Tools can be repurposed from charity/kitchen utensils. Recycled bags for wrapping ware and plastic cards make alternative kidneys.
21
July - September 2021
Consumer power - create a sustainable society - if customers don’t purchase goods based on ecologically sound practices, ethical designer/makers won’t survive. Accountability is important - who leads this environmental way of potting – experts and journalists need to promote it, because if potters globally advocate this, customers respond and sustainability becomes core to the craft. I suggest a Sustainable Ceramic Standards Association – Use interest within the community to collaborate, agreeing standards for regulating sustainable practices. As an ecological potter I have developed a more sustainable methodology: 1. Sourcing own clay for bought = no production or transport pollution 2. Restrict glazes to local mineral/recycled ingredients = no production or transport pollution 3. Switch to green energy supplier = sustainable energy = less pollution 4. Raw glaze = halves energy required for each kiln firing = halved pollution 5. Fire to earthenware regularly = less energy = less carbon footprint = element longevity 6. Reduce stoneware firings + temperature to 1200¹C = lower energy consumption = element longevity 7. Online sales, using existing delivery companies = no sellers/buyers transport pollution http://www.experiencesussex.co.uk/ceramics
