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Linda Christianson continued

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[der jaunty squared-off, rectangular and
oval-shaped poes project a nonchalance that
speaks of their fashioning, Linda forens
them as she would conscruct work in metal,
wood or fabric.

bo give form and surface to the clay, chen

She uses the wheel as a col

often cuts the pots apart and reassernbles

them “out of oF der™. Inds this slightly “off-
kilter” aspect that gives chem their

distinctive appeal.
Linda limits herself co a few basic formes -
plates, vases, Cups, saucers, ewers, and

reap This narrow range of shapes
apeettic “Wichin thar
nine, Once one wocepts Caran limiranons,
there's a whole lifetime of exploration to be
done. It's like che pianist who plays the
samme work ever che course of her career and
yet it's not the same piece at all.” She
acknowledges her surprise and satishaction
that, after making pots for 20 years, it is still

a thrill to make 9 cup and pull a handle.

ally interest heer.

Her surface creatment is an understated bur
eloquent language of subdued colours, and
muienimalist decorations, much of which
happens inside the kiln. “I'm interested in a
slip that will misbehave in che kiln bur sell
leave me with an educated guess as to how
it will look.” she explains. Most preces are
glazed on the inside only, with a light slip
applied to the ourside. The slip reacts with
the wood ash and salt to “sweeren” che
surface, The loading of her kiln is also
integral to the success of che final pieces,
since the way it is loaded affects the look of
the final pot.

The presence of Christtanson's hands
lingers on in subtle traces: fingerprint
outlines on edges, digit-furrowed ridges
along sides and irregular spouts that could
only have been shaped by a particular
thumb and forefinger. Although the word
decoration implies surface, Christianson
hopes that the marks from her tools and
hands go much deeper chan that. “I'm
interested in imparting an emotion, a spirit

co these pots. a says

This article was adapted from a text by Janet
McCail, executive director of the Sociery for
Contemporary Crafts in Pittsiuergh,
Pennsylnanda.

Linda Christiansean’s All Women
Anayama firing is August 16 - 26 at che
Tecan Kiln site. Cost is $250 and limited
+20 women. Bring bisqued pots chat tire
to cone LO, alates are provided. Contact
Carchi at 604 (929. 91735 to register
Any Tozan Society member can drop otf
pots to be fired ar che regular rate.
There is also a 2 week Anagama firing
course (June 15 - 28, ar $300, contact
lackson Hirota at 250 / 741 - 2432) anda
couple of Norigama firings (May Z
per cu. it,
» OEED)

and August 1 - 4, price contact

Gari Whelan ac 250/731

Potters for Peace

I have just returned from the rravel

highlight of my lite. This was no ordinary
tourist expedition, | went with a brigade
for Potters for Peace, am American

organization that helps indigenous potters.

Co-operacives, individuals and
commercial enterprises are assisted to
market their wares and helped with

oroduction rechniques, equipment building

and its use. “We also helped create a
necwork of potters in Nix STALE * whi | eraw
each other, show work together and help

each ether

We visited many potteries, from the most
primitive hand-building and wood-firing set-
ups in remote mountains to large

lectric
wheels and programma ble kilns, The
“outback” ones were che vost interesting
and fun. We
saw their techniques of burnishing, terra
slip resist and were awed by

commercial ciey petteries with «

watched potters at their work,

simillata amc
their craftsmanship. They were very

d do

interested to see what we cou

[t was a goed exchange. What we could noe

deo was return che invitations to breakfast
and luneh in their homes
magnificent chicken vegetable soup
on the clay stove at the Duciale ea-
operative. Nor could we offer them coffee
made in our handmade pots and served in

or that

‘
cooked

our own mugs. | hope to ge aguin.

Alice Hale.

Saltspring Pottery

Established 1976

Potters’ Accessories

Paté and Butter Knives,-Spoons, Pickle Forks, Pestles,
Honey Dippers, Cane and Wire Handles,

Oil Lamp Burners and Chimneys,

Cheese Domes, Corks,

Shaving Brushes, Soap Pumps, Lamp Parts, Fiberglass
Plate Stands, Clock Movements and MUCH MORE!

"Wick,

PatéKnives Hand Turned Hardwood Non-Toxic
Oil Finish 4” long

Please call or write for a FREE CATA

Saltspring Pottery
13 Helen Ave., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2G 3W6
(519) 653-2806