John Shirley
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Online class: Water coloring using Soluble metal salts
I was born in Durban, South Africa, in 1948. My interest in ceramics started during my time at art school in the late 60’s, when we did one project in the ceramics department. At that time, I was making enameled items as a hobby and met a potter who wanted to learn about enamels, and I wanted to know more about clay, so we agreed to teach each other what we knew, and so began my journey in the incredible world of ceramics.
I started out with throwing and bought my first wheel in 1970. I had no kiln, so I threw work and reclaimed the clay, and threw it again. I then registered for pottery classes and started working with earthenware clay. In 1972, I was asked to exhibit in the potter's window at Potters, a small gallery run by the Association of Potters of Southern Africa (APSA). This was a feature they regularly held to showcase emerging artists, and this was the first time I had shown my work. |
Very early on I was seduced by porcelain. I loved the translucency, and the whiteness of the body and porcelain became my preferred medium for many years. I found the chemistry of ceramics fascinating, and in the late 70’s I started experimenting with crystal glazes and worked with crystals for several years, going on to exhibit them several times in South Africa, and in the South African Embassy in Japan in 1981.
Crystals remained a major focus of mine until the mid 90’s when I explored other surface treatments for my porcelain, which was always thrown work, often incorporating resist techniques and often incorporating lusters
In the year 2000 I was approached by the Witwatersrand Technikon to lecture part-time in ceramic science as their lecturer was leaving. I jumped at the opportunity and before I knew it, I was full-time at the Technikon and went on to become program leader in ceramic design.
It was at this time I started studying for my B Tech and I wanted to work with something I had not used before, and I chose Bone China as my area of research and developed a bone china body using local materials. I loved the bone china, for its incredible whiteness and its extreme translucency.
Following graduation, I came across an article on soluble salts and was fascinated by the effects that were achieved and at almost the same time I was gifted an amount of Cobalt Chloride. And so began my journey with soluble salts which still occupies me to this day.
I have now been working in Bone China with Soluble salts for over 20 years and there is so much more to explore. There are always new ideas and for me in my work, The journey is more important than the destination.
As Far as achievements go I have made a note of the ones that I feel are significant.
I have been working with Bone China and soluble salts since 2000.
My work was accepted on the Korean Ceramics Biennial in 2009 and my work is in their permanent exhibition.
I have presented workshops on Soluble salts in South Africa and in Italy at La Meridiana.
I am a founder member and Fellow of Ceramics Southern Africa.
I am an invited member of The International Academy of Ceramics.
I have had several articles published in Ceramics Technical.
My work is featured in a forthcoming book by Bone China expert, Angela Mellor, titled ‘Luminous Clay’.
Crystals remained a major focus of mine until the mid 90’s when I explored other surface treatments for my porcelain, which was always thrown work, often incorporating resist techniques and often incorporating lusters
In the year 2000 I was approached by the Witwatersrand Technikon to lecture part-time in ceramic science as their lecturer was leaving. I jumped at the opportunity and before I knew it, I was full-time at the Technikon and went on to become program leader in ceramic design.
It was at this time I started studying for my B Tech and I wanted to work with something I had not used before, and I chose Bone China as my area of research and developed a bone china body using local materials. I loved the bone china, for its incredible whiteness and its extreme translucency.
Following graduation, I came across an article on soluble salts and was fascinated by the effects that were achieved and at almost the same time I was gifted an amount of Cobalt Chloride. And so began my journey with soluble salts which still occupies me to this day.
I have now been working in Bone China with Soluble salts for over 20 years and there is so much more to explore. There are always new ideas and for me in my work, The journey is more important than the destination.
As Far as achievements go I have made a note of the ones that I feel are significant.
I have been working with Bone China and soluble salts since 2000.
My work was accepted on the Korean Ceramics Biennial in 2009 and my work is in their permanent exhibition.
I have presented workshops on Soluble salts in South Africa and in Italy at La Meridiana.
I am a founder member and Fellow of Ceramics Southern Africa.
I am an invited member of The International Academy of Ceramics.
I have had several articles published in Ceramics Technical.
My work is featured in a forthcoming book by Bone China expert, Angela Mellor, titled ‘Luminous Clay’.
Examples of John's work
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