Martin Bleyer
Artist Profile

Martin Bleyer

LOCATION
Madison, wi
MEDIUM
Ceramics
STYLE
Contemporary Contemporary

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I was a full time professional ceramic artist for most of the 1980's and 90's. During that time my work changed every couple of years and ranged from functional stoneware to raku to low fire earthenware sculpture to high fire lustered porcelain and more. In 1999 i closed down my studio to pursue a different career. Last summer i put together some new work which is known as Neriage or Nerikomi in Japan or agateware in the West. All the pieces are made from porcelain clays i have colored with mason stains and are wheel-thrown or hand-built, or a combination of both.

CREATIVE PROCESS

To create the different colored porcelain clays for my work i first dry out the white porcelain, then add water to slake it down to slip consistency, mix in the mason stains and then allow the colored clay to stiffen back to it's original consistency. I manipulate the separate colors together differently for hand-building or throwing. The thrown forms' surfaces, when leather hard, are carved and then burnished with polished agate stones. Most of the Neriage surfaces are left unglazed, while the insides of the vase forms are glazed and are safe for water and flowers. Most of the bowl type and other forms are unglazed and intended to be just decorative in use.

Featured Works

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