Chris Barnes
Chris Barnes studied Sculpture at Goldsmiths and St Martins School of Art, London 1978-82. In 1994-5 Chris helped Keith Ashley set up the Chocolate Factory artists studios in Hackney - moving into his first studio at the site in 1995. Since then, Chris's work has found its way into galleries up and down the UK.
In 2006 he moved to Rhemore in Morvern where his brother Tim has a croft. His new gas kiln was first fired in May 2007 and produced good results from the start. In the following years, Chris has spun pots from the wheel with renewed vigour, partly from the necessity of earning a living without teaching, but also with a new playfulness and freedom born of having more time and energy.
"I make two sorts of pots - stoneware and raku pieces," explains Chris. They reflect a love of clay as a material and the magical transformation of firing. They are the fruit of my journey so far."
The stoneware is thrown using a kickwheel and completed with various high fired glazes. “I formulate my own glazes using a variety of minerals to produce a rich colour response combined with a very durable surface. Each of the pots is unique as a result of the entire making process. First the clay is hand thrown on the wheel or slabbed to produce the forms. After the first firing the glaze is applied by hand. Finally careful control of the kiln atmosphere during the second firing brings out the character of the ware, its colours and durable finish.”
Technical specifications
Stoneware fired to 1280°c in a reducing atmosphere. All the stoneware pottery is microwave and dishwasher safe.
