01 – 09 of October 2022
Whakatū (Nelson), Aotearoa
This two-day workshop will feature a discussion on shapes which are best suited for pit firing, a demonstration on how to burnish (including tools required for this process), and how to make and apply terra sigillata the easy way.
Participants can bring a bisqued pot (25x25x25cm max) to burnish, or use pieces provided by the tutor.
Attendees are also invited to bring their own materials to experiment with. Here are some suggestions: copper wire (plastic coating removed), various types of seaweed (dry), kitchen salt, green leaves, banana skins. Other materials also welcome. Participants should wear covered footwear.
Jenni Taris has been a potter for 40 years and much of her practice revolves around primitive firings, burnishing, terra sigillata, sawdust firing, pit firing, and some raku firing.
Her technique spans throwing and altering forms, coiling, and slab work. A lot of her pieces are based on the human form, and birds. Birds were the first thing Jenni made to burnish and sawdust fire; they paid for her Polytechnic fees, bought her first electric kiln and first wheel, and they sparked a lifelong passion for clay.
Jenni spent several years teaching classes, but now mostly tutors weekend workshops. Over the years, her work has been accepted in a number of national exhibitions and has been shown in successful solo and group exhibitions.