Ceramics
With an interest in the intersection of craft, design and art, there are several projects in ceramics that Heather Dahl Studio is currently working on:
Abstraction Series
Using a mould as a canvas, and liquid tinted porcelain as paint, the Abstraction Series focuses on a way to paint in clay. Tinted porcelain is poured, painted, marbled, peeled away and revealed on the moulds before they are closed up and cast as one piece. Highly experimental and visually interesting, these vessels and plates are like paintings in the round, which can be turned in various ways for a new view of the work.
Cascade Collection
As a series of 3 vessels, the Cascade Collection is a unique design based on 3 vase forms: the Arch Vase, the Circle Vase and the Bump Vase (or planter). Boxy in shape, the forms can be lined up or spread apart to create a cascade of soft, arched forms. Each Vase has an intended use, from holding larger bouquets, to the smallest table floral arrangement or plant that can sit on a windowsill. Bold as solid colours or glazed in an ombre fade, this work is soft and sculptural at the same time.
Marbled Porcelain
Using a technique similar to Ebru Paper Marbling, Heather has been researching a technique to develop surface marbling on ceramic bisque-ware in collaboration with artist Genevieve Dionne. Together and independently, with much trial and error, they have found some success with ceramic ink that sits on the surface, pools, and can be marbled and then glaze fired. The process itself results in the abstract surfaces, much like aerial views of topography, watercolours, or soft pastel drawings.
Soda-Fired Monoprint Series
Patchwork patterns and botanical prints inform the Soda-Fired Series that Heather has been working on for several years. A desire to embrace the craft in clay brought out an interest in researching atmospheric kiln firings. Utilizing a screen-printing studio in Vancouver, Heather began to integrate her drawings and designs onto screens, while developing a ceramic ink that could be fired at different temperatures and in different kilns. Atmospheric firings are completely unique- these one of a kind pieces have been sprayed with Soda at over 2200 degrees F, which moves around the kiln and reacts with the clay, the glazes and also the prints to create beautiful surfaces that vary around each piece depending on how they were situated in the kiln. Heather has been creating a batch of work in the Soda kiln 3-4 times per year, depending on space at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby, BC.
