To
many of us, the very word "ceramic" conjures images of plain wall
tiles like the ones in our kitchens. The word "ceramics" brings to
mind molded clay articles sold in craft shops. While neither perception is actually
incorrect, each reflects only a very small facet of the world of ceramics. In
its most general sense, "ceramic," from the Greek keramos (potter's
clay), describes a vast array of artistic techniques leading to the creation
of items fashioned from hardened or baked clay.
All of the pottery is either thrown on the wheel, hand built, or a combination
of the two. No molds are used, therefore no two pieces are exactly alike.
The pots are made from a stoneware clay and after texturing, adding handles,
or any other parts, they are dried completely. After bisque firing, the pots
are then glazed and gas fired to a higher temperature over 1000º C. Each
firing lasts between 8-12 hours.
Vavatsis 33
Vavatsis 4
George
Vavatsis was born in Thessaloniki in 1974, where he lives and work, maintaining
a ceramics workshop in Kifisia. He studied ceramics at Cheltenhamn & Cloucester
College of Higher Education, from where he graduated in 1998. He teaches ceramics
in the Conjectual Arts Center of the City Net Program by the Ministry of Culture,
in Thessaloniki and Kilkis. He is a member of the Panhellenic Association
of Ceramists and Potters.
