Exploring Expression, Form & Fire through Oribe-Inspired Making

Duration: 3-hours each week for 8 weeks at Canberra Potters. Time to really immerse yourself.
Potential to be involved in a wood firing at Strathnairn Arts, at an additional cost.
Location: Canberra Potters.
Instructor: Aaron Scythe.

This course is suited for experienced ceramicists and potters who want to deepen their understanding of expressive form-making.
If unsure of your suitability for this course contact [email protected] 

Course Overview

Discover the expressive and intuitive approach of Oribe-style ceramics in this eight-week immersive course with New Zealand-based potter Aaron Scythe. Rooted in the philosophy of anti-technique, Oribe-style making embraces imperfection, spontaneity, and the natural movement of clay.

Over the course, participants will explore coil building, wheel throwing, and off the hump throwing, creating pieces suited for yakishime (unglazed wood firing) with the potential for Shino ware glazing. The course culminates in a group gas firing offering a hands-on experience in packing and firing a gas kiln. There is potential to be included in a group wood firing at Strathnairn Arts as an additional cost, details to be provided during the course. A final post-firing debrief will provide insight into the firing results and future directions for participants’ work.

What You Will Learn

✔ Oribe-style philosophy – working expressively and embracing imperfection
✔ Building and throwing techniques – coils, hump throwing, and sectional forms
✔ Creating functional and sculptural works – vases, sakeware, bottles, and tea bowls
✔ Surface treatments – slip decoration, iron underglazes, and texturing for wood firing
✔ Wood and gas firing processes – discussion regarding preparation, stacking, and firing of a traditional anagama-style kiln and gas kilns
✔ Post-firing analysis – understanding flame paths, ash effects, and firing outcomes

Participants should bring:

• their toolkit
• an apron
• wear sturdy, enclosed shoes (required)
• one old towel for cleaning up
• a large sponge or microfibre cloth for cleaning up
• an art journal or their potters journal
• inspiration - research, images and objects

To learn more about Aaron, check out his website and Instagram.
www.ascythe.com
@godinc247

Pictured below, Aaron in his studio. Image courtesy of the artist.