Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish
NC Mountains Pre-Conference Artists and Organizers, Conference Organizers, Panelists and Demonstrators
Bandana Pottery is Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish. They live and work in the mountains of Western North Carolina in the town of Bandana, and they continually search the region for wild clays and materials to use in their pots and glazes. The mystery of white slip over the landscape of coarse dark clay inspires them and they eagerly explore the relationship between clay, slip, glazes, and the affects of their wood-fired kiln. This sense of discovery propels and continues when you bring their pots into your home and creatively interact with them in your daily rituals, sense of space, and celebratory meals.
Our pots are fired in a large wood-burning kiln which is a modification of traditional kilns from Thailand. During a visit to Thailand in 1998 Michael was fascinated by the beautiful shape of Thai wood-fired kilns. This shape seemed like it could be adapted to fit the criteria they needed. The most interesting thing to them about the Thai shape is the way its form imitates a flame. After much thought and research we altered the shape and proportions to improve structure, working comfort, and to give more articulate firing control.The pots are loaded through the door in the front of the kiln, which is then bricked up for the firing. The kiln is continually stoked with wood for thirteen to sixteen hours until the pots are 2350 degrees Fahrenheit and the glazes have melted. The wood ash from the kiln lands on the pots and creates subtle variation in the clay and glazes. The varying atmosphere from reduced (or “smoky”) to oxidized (or “clean burning”) also has a powerful effect.
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