January 25 - February 17, 2019
Kay Franz – "Burnt Offerings"
Ceramic Works
Helena Davis Gallery
Opening Reception
Friday, January 25, 2019
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public
Closing Artist Talk
Sunday, February 17, 2019
2:00 pm
Free and Open to the Public
BURNT OFFERINGS: ceramic works by Kay Franz Burnt Offerings is an exhibit of sawdust fired ceramics by Richmond artist, Kay Franz. Using the same size and shape of dome-shaped wall pieces and bowls, this body of work explores surface textures, colors and finishes within a framework of consistent forms.
Artist's Statement: My work is greatly influenced by prominent artists like Shoji Hamada, Bernard Leach, Paul Soldner and Peter Voulkos as well as early pottery from the Americas, Japan and Korea. I also owe much to the work of other known and unknown artists, past and present. I am deeply grateful to all those influences that have provided so much inspiration. What began in my own work as an exploration of the vessel form has over the years evolved into work more sculptural in nature but still owes much to the traditional forms.
I hand build all work and use a combination of slabs and coils to construct my pieces. I use a combination of slips, glazes and and/or terra sigillata for surface finishes. I bisque fire to cone 05, then final fire using an outdoor barrel kiln filled with newspaper and sawdust to yield the smoky, fire kissed finish.
Bio: Kay earned her BFA in Crafts from the University of Georgia in 1972. Over the years, she attended many workshops and exhibited locally, regionally and nationally in various shows. She is a member of numerous national and local arts organizations including NCECA, Ceramics Arts Network, Visual Arts Center of Richmond, VMFA, Artspace, Art Works and Crossroads Art Center. Kay lives in beautiful Richmond, Virginia with her son, two rowdy dogs and a rabbit named Louie.
More at: https://www.clayandgreentea.com/