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Tripod Vase
Tripod Vase
Tripod Vase
Photograph and Ditital Image © Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Not for reproduction or publication.
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Object number2018.25

Tripod Vase

Artist (American, 1949-)
Date1979
Mediumraku
DimensionsOverall: 15 1/2 × 8 1/4 in. (39.4 × 21 cm)
Credit LineGift of Tom and Karen Kendall
Label TextIn the early 1970s, while Chair of the ceramics department for the Kirk Newman Art School at the KIA, Kendall began to explore raku-fired pottery. Western raku is a process in which the work is removed from the kiln at bright red heat and subjected to post-firing reduction or smoking. Kendall was soon disappointed that the glazes available resulted in a glossy surface. Wanting a dry surface in tones of red and orange, Kendall began working with lead. Undeterred by lead’s difficult and toxic properties, Kendall spent years developing glazes to achieve the surface you see here. His glazes resulted in interesting, gritty surfaces and colors ranging from dry yellow wash to a glassy black glaze with shades of red and orange. All of this variation would depend on how the glazes were applied and how the piece was fired. A few minutes or even seconds too long or too little smoke can completely change the effects. This piece is a superb example of this unusual approach to raku glazing

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