Earth on Fire

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Lia is a Brazilian born ceramic artist who spent many years in Africa before immigrating to Australia. Her style lends from both South American and African influences while portraying distinct Australian tones.

She has studied under many renowned international ceramic masters at various Seminars and with prestigious Australian ceramic teachers at the National Art School. Her most recent work has been exploring Raku, Naked Raku and Saggar techniques. 

Raku is a type of low-firing process that was inspired by traditional Japanese techniques. It involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. This process give a great variety of colours and surface effects to the clay bodies.

Naked Raku is a variation of the Raku technique in which a slip is applied to the pot prior to the glaze before it is placed in the Raku kiln. The pot is then carefully removed from the kiln and placed into a metal bin lined with combustible materials. Then the bin is sealed with a tight-fitting lid. This infuses the pot with smoke. The thick slip resists the smoke so that the pot surface remains white underneath it giving the pot a similar appearance to traditional Raku without any glaze.

Saggar Firing is the method of creating confined atmospheres within a container, with organic materials deliberately trapped inside containers for the sole purpose of making marks. This controlled combustion and containment of organic materials transforms these ingredients from solid to gas, releasing the naturally occurring oxides and minerals found within them. When starved of oxygen and unable to escape into the atmosphere, these opportunistic vapours instead seek air from deep within the clay, permeating the surface, creating a spontaneous and unrepeatable transference of colour, pattern and texture.

"Ceramics is a tactical, sensorial, therapeutic medium that I express my nature and my moods. I am attracted to the versatility and to the endless possibilities of this medium. I immerse myself in hand building each piece, losing track of time.

At the moment I am drawn to using the traditional Japanese technique , Raku, and the Chinese technique, Saggar. Both these techniques create unique organic outcomes. I am inspired by the firing ritual and the beauty it produces."