Ceramic Review: Masterclass with Barbara Gittings

The ancient Chinese art of Nerikomi involves layering different coloured clays to create pattern and texture. In this video Barbara Gittings takes us step-by-step through this fascinating process.
Read more in CR303 (May/June 2020): bit.ly/3anBNvS
Video by Layton Thompson

[@Peggypatch01]

I think this was a great example of how you can make beautiful pieces of ceramics at you home without the need of a fancy studio space.

[@audreyh6628]

Ever since I first saw this, I have thought about it many, many times. I could listen to her talk for hours. Thank you for sharing

[@billgauthier9765]

Beautiful

[@Eighthplanetglass]

Shivers! I love hearing artists talking about what interests them in the work they do. These videos are doing an amazing job of that.

[@puchululina]

What a pleasure listening to this extraordinary artist while making her work!

[@janaccardo8612]

Beautiful and I like the facts that no wheel or kiln is needed to create such beautiful pieces!

[@ГалинаХохлова-н1и]

You are mistaken, firing in a barrel with newspapers - decorative, first you need to burn in the kiln at 1000 degrees

[@lottaleijon6654]

That wasn’t obvious, I got the same picture but really scratched my head since newspapers don’t burn enough hot. I thought she used some special clay.

[@janaccardo8612]

@@lottaleijon6654 It could be a low fire clay or a Raku clay. I was surprised at how short the fire seemed. Even using a barbecue grill takes time.

[@gigis.garden]

I thought she said it was bisque fired then she sanded it with wet and dry?

[@Anzukami]

Amazing work. Thank you for sharing with the world.

[@mayortomsoy]

Too beautiful and perfect pronuntation to learn english.

[@arpitadatta2711]

Her voice, her aesthetics, her pottery!!! ❤️

[@rutilopata8294]

The most beautiful intricate organic lovely pot I have seen! Thank you dear for sharing your passion and process, I commend you for your loving patience🌹✨🙏🏻💐🕊

[@pollyannwhite5343]

Wonderful. Such gentle patience with beautiful results.Thank you for being so generous.

[@hebamalik_]

This was so soothing to watch. Asmr!

[@maxinebond4689]

So disappointed that you were not at water Perry exhibition ,you were the reason I came from Cornwall to see you. Have you any more exhibitions coming up ? Maxine

[@joseeugeniofariaalvim9974]

Absolutely loved her work. Congratulations on the video.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@magentamagenta1274]

fascinating, what a cathartic process very soothing.

[@FullmoonGB]

Great work !!!!! Beautiful ... Thank you :)

[@sumananindo]

Just Fascinating!

[@clarepalmer6954]

Fabulous Barbara. Wonderful film. Cx

[@mariajosereis7558]

Maravilhoso! Estética que adoro! Obrigado

[@therocknessfnmonster]

um, Nerikomi is not a Chinese word but that's ok I guess. . .

[@elainebradleyceramicartist3213]

It is a Japanese technique.

[@Tematrilia]

wonderful

[@maxinebond4689]

Beautiful!! Do you not biscuit fire ?

[@dodorik7114]

absolutely gorgeous work!

[@lizwood2790]

Thank you -just beautiful

[@paulmurphy3735]

Such amazing art work!

[@nicolebelanger4745]

I am fascinated by her work. I dont understand what she uses to wax the final product. I am curious also about how short and low temp her firing is.Anyone know how you can fire porcelain so low?

[@gnarbeljo8980]

It seems to be a very basic pot or kettle firing. Which means it's likely not properly sintered as there's no holding time (soak) and it's a high fire material. The only reason I can make out for using porcelain here is the whitness of the clay, smoothness I guess although that's easily achieved with any clay without grogg. I'd have assumed porcelaine would be prone to cracking in the more primitive firing techniques. I've only ever used grogged claybodies for this, pitfiring etc etc. Her work is quite thick walled though, especially for porcelain. She's treating it as earthenware but using mostly oxides for coloration without glaze seems to be her main reason for using this material instead, for the whitness of the uncolored work, and for porcelains compatibility with paper fibres. Which I assume to some degree act as grogg against shock problems. Porcelsine mixed with cellulose is more lightweight than other ceramic bodies. That may also be a consideration in her aesthetics. They look alot lighter than the slabs visible in her process here. Which is quite an interesting quality in her work. I've not seen her pieces irl so just my assessment from this video. I quite enjoy her work and seeing someone use this very low tech approach in creating quite delicate results with a very artful expression. Like someone else pointed out its important to see that modern pottery pieces in the fine art realm don't nessecarily mean high tech, large scale work. Not even the standard equippment for a ceramicist here. Yet the work is just as intentional and interesting. It's rare to see showcased like in this video. As these arent functional pieces to hold liquids or handle alot, her method works well and allows for the natural chaos from the elements to also make a mark on her finished work.

[@matyasmaria7737]

@@gnarbeljo8980 I understand, the works are bisque fired first.

[@gnarbeljo8980]

@@matyasmaria7737 oh, I think I may have missed that part. That would account for it not shattering. Never seen. Porcelain treated this way, it's interesting!

[@vafua8e326]

God these are beautiful

[@gnarbeljo8980]

I agree with Peggypatch wholeheartedly, thank you! I'd like to see more of ceramicists who don't use middle- of- the- road techniques, and fine art ceramicists. Like this wonderful example of refined work using extremely low tech methods. And artist working outside the box, like Eva Hild for example.

[@chibywallah]

Lovely. Made my day

[@clifforddalton3067]

That's a lot of work, you're obviously very devoted. Very nice results so worth all that work Well done.

[@maayanmoshe3581]

amazing artist

[@walterjoemoore6732]

Inspiring

[@coopart1]

Love it

[@donovanmiller3919]

What type of cloth are they using when the patterns are smoothed over with a flat edge?

[@aphasiafriendlyresources1993]

So beautiful and restful to watch. Thank you

[@Majoofi]

What is crank slip, I wonder?

[@sandracartica4932]

This is an amazing process! Thank you for sharing!

[@AX1A]

This woman is every bit as magnificent as Cezanne

[@pukiiiii6598]

Depth of her soul amazes me like steady clouds

[@cpetati1]

Wonderful!! Thank you...

[@Tonrralbo]

Super beauty, muy lindo

[@amandaneilson8561]

Such beautiful pieces.

[@margotpenney8608]

Hello from S Africa!

[@audreyh6628]

beautiful work

[@badsoutherngirl]

Wonderful work.

[@Onthesummit]

Wonderful work. Do you throw your pieces or slip cast them?

[@SyrinxofOz]

She is a hand builder. No wheel, no casting.

[@knightclan4]

Outstanding!!

[@Alex_Carroll_Ceramics]

Beautiful!!

[@SacredHolisticArts]

Love t

[@chompers11]

wowowow

[@nyotauhura7412]

i was distracted by how close that flaming trash can is next to a wall and building. that is very dangerous looking!

[@ceramicartistoflight-lee6375]

좋은 작품 감상 잘 했습니다 감사합니다 ^^

[@dildoit]

Fired for an hour??? Did i mis something. Its not even bisque fired. ?

[@BarbaraGittingsCeramic]

It is bisque fired first

[@rubiodesign.online]

I want her to be my aunt. Lovely techniques and pieces.

[@analilypark830]

I don't tire to come back to watch, Barbara!! Always discover new steps of your technique!xxxx