Graham Ambrose

- Hand-formed, pit fired ceramic
- 145mm x 235mm approx.

Pit firing is the oldest known method for the firing of pottery. Examples have been dated as early as 29,000–25,000 BCE. The process usually includes an initial low-heat firing of the unadorned clay vessels, before organic washes, compounds, and metals are layered/wrapped around the pots, which are placed in a hollowed out pit in the ground. A fire is built upon them - the heat and smoke are the key to initiating the reactions that give pit fired ceramics their distinct look. Often, after an initial hot-firing of several hours, the burning embers are enclosed and the entire pit is left for up to 72 hours for maximum vibrancy and transferance. Once cooled, the pit is opened and the ash is brushed off the pots, leaving the truly one-of-a-kind finish that only alchemy can acheive. Because of this, the artist never knows what the finshed product will look like until it’s done, or know if the clay has survived the firing intact. Common materials used to create colour and finish include seaweed and driftwood, banana and citrus skins, copper wire, carbonate, and sulphate, and salts.

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