At the heart of ceramics is a moment of alchemy and drama. Combining fire, earth and chance, it is this unpredictability that gives ceramics its particular magic.
One of the most rewarding aspects of wood and salt firing is its unpredictability. As ash and salt move through the kiln, they react with the clay and glazes to create unique colours, textures and surfaces. The final result can never be fully controlled, making each piece a collaboration between the maker, the materials and the firing process.
Chris Prindl
In this series of works, Chris Prindl explores these alchemical transformations through his interpretation of the Korean Moon Jar, one of the most celebrated forms in ceramic history. These Moon Jars are made from Cornish china clay and glazed using minerals and metals found in Cornwall’s unique landscape. They are fired using local wood and Cornish salt, drawing on materials that are deeply connected to the region and its natural environment.
Chris’s connection with Japan began when he spent four years living in Tokyo as a child. Later, after starting to work with clay, he realised how deeply those early experiences had influenced his artistic vision and decided to return to Japan to train as a potter.
During his apprenticeship, he developed a passion for wood firing that continues to shape his work today. Although trained in a range of Japanese ceramic traditions, he was also drawn to historic glaze techniques, including celadon, oxblood and salt glazes.
Twenty years ago, he built his first wood-fired salt kiln in Cornwall, beginning a journey of experimentation that continues today.
