4 bc potters

GUILD February 2005 Volume 41 No. 2

of BRITISH

COLUMBIA Paul Davis Visits British Columbia

ee As a part of our 50th anniversary celebrations the Potters Guild of BC has invited noted Australian potter
NEWSLETTER Paul Davis to visit British Columbia to give a series of workshops and lectures.

Since his graduation from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 1973 Paul Davis has been one
of Australia's premier potters. Twenty years of production and teaching followed. He established his own
school and studio (the Sekizan Pottery School in Victoria, Australia).

Inspired by Japanese ceramic traditions Davis went to Japan to be an apprentice at the renowned Saka
Koraizaemon pottery in Japan. Even with twenty years’ experience as both artist and teacher, initially he
was only given menial tasks such as cleaning and clay preparation. Davis says, "At first I felt this indiffer-
ence was demeaning but I soon realized that, by giving me these menial tasks, Saka was, in a subtle way,
teaching me, his new apprentice, valuable lessons in humility, resilience and the importance of under-
standing and respecting materials, to become a good potter.” Davis remained in Japan for six years.

Oriental ceramics grow out of an ancient and very sophisticated tradition. Woodfired kilns in particular
turn out ware that seems to have been created by nature, not by the hand of man. And celadon, shino,
and. tenmoku glazes display a wonderful sensitivity because even subtle parameters like placement in the
kiln have a significant influence on the final result. This tradition is quite influential among BC potters.
Australia, due to its proximity to the Orient, has been even more influ-
enced by this tradition.

Dick Aitken (in Ceramics: Art and Perception No. 58 2004) says; "It is
through an understanding of how his glazes react to a set of variables -
application, reaction with under and over glaze oxides, position in the kiln,
temperature, firing regime - that enables Davis to achieve the remarkable
individuality that his pots exhibit.” This is almost like a koan and demon-
strates an essential difference between oriental and occidental approaches.
For the "West" individuality is a product of conscious processes that devel-
op a distinct and recognizable style in an effort to be distinct from one’s
peers. It seems that in the "East" individuality has a different meaning. In
the East individuality is the result of the unconscious expression of excep-
tional individuals. There is no striving; rather there is a deep immersion in
the process. By all accounts Davis is a master of the Eastern aesthetic. This
is combined with 30 years of teaching experience. The chance to partici-
pate ina Davis workshop is a tremendous opportunity not to be passed
up.

Paul Davis will be in BC in February. He will be giving workshops in

Kamloops, Arrowsmith and Burnaby. His visit provides BC potters with a
unique opportunity to work with this renowned potter and teacher. Don't
miss out.

= raf Martin Hunt

Much of the information in this article was taken from Paul Davis, A Generosity of
Spirit" by Dick Aitken published in Ceramics: Art and Perception No. 58 2004

Celebrating 50 Years: 1955 - 2005