Candles + Sticks 2022

These candlesticks embody the shapes of ancient burial pottery from Shilla and

Gaya of the Three Kingdoms Period of Korea. The shape of the top part of the

candlestick comes from the image of a burning candle flame.

In my pieces, I wanted to capture the brief moment when warmth

momentarily spreads through a cold, lonely and silent breadth of time. A dark

and desiccated surface finish was essential to express this in my pieces,

Fortunately, my residency in Korea provided me with the perfect opportunity

to complete these candlesticks with the Raku technique.

Vessels are pulled from the kiln still glowing from the heat of 1050°C and then

buried in a mound of rice husks. The intense heat from the vessels sets the

surrounding rice husks alight, starving the vessel of oxygen.

Without oxygen, the vessels turn matte black. Traces remain where small

amounts of oxygen come into contact with the vessel, creating unexpected

patterns.

온기 On gi (warmth)

Warmth remains in the mound long after the vessel is removed.

The warmth from the fire remains in the vessels.

Warmth that seeps through the cold, coarse stone..