Staff Show, University of Johannesburg

Once again we have the staff exhibition at the University of Johannesburg. This year the focus is on practice-based research. The title of my installation showing my process is 'The development of Soluble Salt surface treatments on Bone China'

2 More Pieces

Two more images of recent work. Here I have used my favored soluble salts again, namely cobalt and ferric chloride and potassium dichromate. The salts are used on the bisque fired surface before firing to top temperature. The image below is a new tea bowl form. 

Another New Piece

This piece is, as is most of my current work, cast in bone-china and decorated with a combination of wax-resist and cobalt and ferric chloride and potassium dichromate.

Exploring Glazes

I will be running a short course in glaze development at the University of Johannesburg later this month. Click here for full details.

A New Piece of Work

After a few posts favoring method, hints and tips, I thought it was time to show a new piece of my work.

3 Steps to Better Slipcasting

1. Always check the s.g. of your casting slip. keep it at 1.70 at least. That means 100ml of slip should weigh at least 170g

2. Once the s.g. is correct adjust the fluidity with a deflocculant such as Dispex. Even if using sodium silicate for deflocculation I find a few drops of Dispex markedly increase the fluidity giving better casting results

3. If you are using molds that have not been used for some time a fine misting of water on the casting surface will help prevent air bubbles in the cast