MICHELE BIANCO CERAMICS
ABOUT
The starting
point for my work is always walking and sketching. I'm inspired by the forms, patterns and textures in the world around me – the mesh of branches on wintry trees, the geometric patterns in eroded rock faces or the intricate structures of pods, leaves and petals.
In the studio I work with tinted stoneware clay. All my pieces are hand built using a range of techniques; pinching, coiling and slab building. The piece is then allowed to dry slowly and during this phase the form is altered by drawing onto the surface and hand carving into the clay. As the piece gradually dries it is refined by degrees.
Once fully dry the forms are biscuit fired to around 950C before glaze firing to around 1200C. I'm also currently experimenting with pit firing techniques, firing to lower temperatures and using sustainable fuel sources
I usually prefer to leave areas of my work unglazed to allow the natural colour and texture of the ceramic to be seen and to preserve evidence of the carving process.
