Paul Jenkins Raku Sculptures

Borne of fire

EACH SCULPTURE IRRESPECTIVE OF SIZE TAKE AT LEAST 2/3 WEEKS TO MAKE

Due to the nature of Raku firing every sculpture is unique, it being impossible to produce two which are identical. Each one is hand crafted from a unique formulated clay, then:

– Bisque fired to a high temperature in a kiln.

– Glazed and kiln fired for a second time.

– Fired for a third time in a specially designed Raku kiln.

– Soaked in a formulated solution, cleaned and dried.

HOW WE MAKE OUR SCULPTURES

Large lying hare and horse head being hand crafted.

When complete the sculptures are transferred to a drying cabinet for several days before the first kiln firing.

After the first firing the ceramic sculptures are dipped into a specially formulated glaze and kiln fired again, this also takes around 2 days. 

After being glazed the sculptures are taken outside to a specially built Raku kiln, each one is heated to a high temperature, when removed from the kiln the glaze crazes, they have to be covered in a particular pure type of wood shavings to add the contrast into the micro glaze lines. When cool soaked for 2 days and the carbon cleaned off, then dried for several days.

Due to the nature of our sculptures they have to be removed from the kiln by hand, if tongs were used it would mark the piece. They are at the same temperature as steel glowing bright red, it is very dangerous and not for the faint hearted.