Claire Olivier - Ceramics - Translucent Porcelain Vases - Gold Indent Fleck Vase

Claire Olivier - Ceramics - Translucent Porcelain Vases - Gold Indent Fleck Vase

Wet or Dry Arrangements

Bio
In a world of mass production, hand made pottery feels like “poetry you can hold”. I am always heartened when my creations illicit a reaction and beg to be touched

I am a ceramic artist and live in Qualicum Beach. Prior to that I was an active member
of the Salt Spring Island Potters Guild participating in exhibitions and collaborations with
many BC ceramic and mixed media artisans for the greater part of 20 years.
Living within the wild west coast is a constant source of inspiration. The Salish Sea and
ancient forests enrich and inform my creativity. Craggy rocks, leaves, and sea shells may
all inspire porcelain work. Terra cotta and stoneware pieces reflect residencies in Northern Tuscany, in the ancient hamlet of Panicale and visits to Florence. Pit fired creations are like abstract art, decorated with fire, where unpredictability prevails and no two pieces are alike. Furthering these paths, I am now seeking a residency in Japan to learn the very ancient technique of Kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery, it’s purpose to turn adversity into something that is both beautiful and resilient.

Fine Porcelain Work
Porcelain requires both time and patience. Clay is flattened to 1/8”/2cm. These slabs are
embellished with elements from nature to add texture and visual interest. This thinness
creates lightness and translucency, the ultimate reward. Once the composition is complete, two kiln firings are next. Coloured underglazes and a final seal of a transparent water tight glaze are added. Further enhancements may include “over glazes” (gold effect, etc.) which will then require a third short firing.

Terra Cotta and Stoneware
Pieces are coiled, slab-built, slump-molded, or pieced from several components. Surface
decoration may include coloured slips and further, carved, impressed, and decorated with underglazes. All pieces receive a final glaze firing making them watertight.

Pit, Surface fired Work
Either coiled, slab built or pinched, finished work is buried in organics like seaweed,
coffee grounds and native shrubs, then set on fire and left to burn for several hours.
Both unpredictable and ancient, this exciting firing technique is a creative marriage I seek
with the fire gods. For dry arrangements only as these vessels are finished with a sealant
or beeswax and are not water tight.

ceramics@claireolivier.ca https://claireolivier.ca