I recently returned from giving a workshop to the NQPA. This was another highlight of my year sharing my knowledge, experience and passion for clay with others.
If you are ever looking for someone to give a workshop please reach out to me.
North Queensland Potters Ceramcis Award 2024
What an honour it was to have been invited to Judge this award. Not an easy task however I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. There were 84 entries from 180 plus applications received.
ANNUAL OPEN STUDI0
Save the dates Saturday & Sunday 7 & 8 December 2024 10am - 4pm both days.
I will be opening my studio to the public so that you can see and learn about the processes involved in wood firing. There are kilns to view as well as works to see.
Firing catenary arch kiln
The Shilaroo Project
Come and join me in Himachal Pradesh at The Shilaroo Project where we will be packing and firing a wood kiln. The beautiful Himalayan Ranges are our backdrop.
This workshop provides a unique opportunity to amateurs to advanced potters, looking to explore and learn the ancient practice of wood-firing ceramics in a cross draft train kiln under the guidance of Jann Kesby.
The workshop runs from 23-30 June 2024. There is a limited number of places available so please get in quick to avoid disappointment.
Train kiln Shilaroo
Landscape Platter with freshly picked apples
WARRANDYTE POTTERY EXPO 2024
To kick start 2024 I recently attended Warrandyte Pottery Expo. This is a coming together of professionally established potters, and emerging potters through Australia.
I would like to personally thank all those returning customers, new customers and those who were interested in educating themselves in the woodfiring process.
ANNUAL OPEN STUDIO
I will be holding my annual Open Studio on the 2-3 December 1—4pm both days.
38 Lily Lane, Kempsey. Follow the signs after turning into Pattersons Lane, off Crescent Head Road.
I look forward to welcoming you all once again.
Five Ways
I will be taking part in an exhibition ‘Five Ways’ to be held at The Stables, Meat Market, 2 Wreckyn Street, North Melbourne from 27 October - 5 November. This exhibition will be showcasing works by five wood firing potters and their approach to clay.
The works will be available to view and purchase online and after the exhibition will be showing at Neo Ceramics 247 Abbotsford St, North Melbourne VIC 3051 www.neoceramics.com.au
Anagama Kiln Wood Firing Workshop with Jann Kesby, Steve Williams & Joey Burns
25 August - 29 August 2023
To view this firing courtesy of ABC Illawarra please follow the link
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-10/potters-fire-up-anagama-kiln-at-sturt/102802634
Floresence
If you are in the Southern Highlands during 17 September - 12 November be sure to pop into Sturt Gallery to view this exhibition celebrating spring in the Highlands with a joyful display of ceramics, painting and floral artistry.
TERRA NOVA EXHIBITION
This year celebrates 70 years of craftsmanship at Sturt Craft Centre which is going to be marked with ongoing celebrations.
Sturt was the first production pottery established in Australia in 1953 by the late Ivan McMeekin.
I was a trainee at Sturt Craft Workshop 1982-1983.
I am honoured to be included in Terra Nova Exhibition and extend a warm welcome to you all.
If you are in the Southern Highlands during the period 28 May to 16 July please take the time to visit Sturt Gallery to view this special exhibition.
India 2023
I have recently returned from a trip to Pondicherry on the east coast of India. During my time there I attended Golden Bridge Pottery where I made and fired works the Chinnagama in the company of John Dix, Nick Schwartz, Aarti Manik and ex students of Golden Bridge.
The clays used were a white porcelaneous and dark body using local materials.
Pots were pack in the kiln raw. The firing went for 7 days roughly 150 hours and the timbers used were a mixture of casuarina and tamarind.
The kiln was cooled for 4 days before unpacking.
Results were incredible with plenty of liquid green ash built up on the surface of pots depending on how pots were placed in the kiln.
Golden Bridge Pottery
Packing Chinnagama
Guinomi
Guinomi
Open Studio 2022
I would like to extend a huge thank you to all those who came along and supported my Open Studio.
It is my greatest pleasure to meet and welcome everyone into my sacred space and to share my passion.
Without your continued support I would not be where I am today and for this I am so grateful.
I do hope your purchases bring you much joy.
Last Firing 2022
I have just completed my last wood firing for 2022.
I fired my catenary arch kiln for 34 hours using mainly hardwoods. The majority of the works were glazed using ash and feldspathic glazes.
Clay bodies were varied using native clays which were fired on their own or blended with a clay body that I make myself or a commercial body. There were some beautiful results culminating in a variety of surfaces. I really enjoy using native clays not for what they are but how they respond and what they do when exposed to the naked flame.
Annual Open Studio 2022
My Annual Open Studio will be held Saturday & Sunday 3 & 4 December 10am- 4pm .
Follow the signs 1km along the Crescent Head Road into Pattersons Lane and then left into Lily Lane.
I look forward to seeing you for our annual catchup.
All are welcome.
Anagama Firing 2022
I have recently completed my anagama firing for the year. It was a special event in that I sort the assistance of two up and coming wood firers who I met earlier in the year at the Sturt woodfiring event under the guidance of Kazuya Ishida
I would like to think that I could achieve another firing in ‘Minkie’ this year however there is an enormous amount of work that goes into each firing.
So I am going to have to settle on firing my catenary arch kiln in preparation for my Open Studio 3rd & 4th December 2022 from 10am-4pm both days.
PAN POTTERY AWARD
I am delighted and honoured to have been presented with the inaugural Pãn Award 2022 “Potter of the Year’.
to quote Bridget and Angus McDiarmid…
‘The Pãn Award was conceived on the wheel making pots, thinking about the lack of celebration and recognition for the great potters of Australia and young potters dedicating their life to the craft!
Realising action was needed I spoke to my wife Bridge and the boys and we decided to start an annual award for potters who are making great pots and who have dedicated their life to the craft!
This annual award is based entirely on the energy and beauty of the pot and potter and the joyful union of craft and function when you use one of their vessels!
Woodfiring.net Magazine
I invite you to view this new magazine featuring wood firing artists worldwide.
What a privilege it is to be featured in this magazine.
MELBOURNE IKEBANA CONTAINER AWARD & EXHIBITION
I am honoured to have been selected as a finalist in the upcoming Ikebana Container Award 2022.
https://www.ikebanafestival.com/container-award-finalists/jann-kesby
Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival have provided an opportunity for ceramic artists to create artworks to inspire ikebana artists.
The choice of container is a quintessential element of ikebana. The artistic essence of ikebana lies in the creation of unity between a container and cut flowers by an ikebana artist. This unity makes it possible to capture the true spirit of the flowers.
Exhibition 2022
I currently have works showing at the following Galleries…please follow links to view works
http://www.shackletongallery.com/
https://makersgalleryaustralia.com/ ‘FEAST’
A DAY WITH JANN KESBY - SLOW CLAY CENTRE
Jann Kesby is one of Australia’s most experienced ceramic artists who has fired her kilns with wood for over 30 years. Her style of wood-firing continues in the centuries-long Japanese tradition of anagama kilns where ash deposits are encouraged to melt on the wares whilst leaving the distinctive marks of the flame as they pass through the kiln. Her work ranges from large jars to humble cups and all are freshly made with a freedom that comes from years of experience. She makes her own clay and gathers her wood locally from the mid-north coast of NSW where she is based. Conceptually Jann draws on inspiration from her surroundings, including the dynamic movement of the ocean and detailed textures and colours of her local landscape.
In this workshop Jann will demonstrate some of the methods of making her table wares including the fascinating Kurinuki carving technique and her fresh wheel-throwing style. Participants will have a chance to try their hand at Kurinuki. Jann will also demonstrate making larger forms using two techniques: “coil & throw” and “coil & pinch”. There will be a presentation of images of her kilns, and studio, and detailed discussions of her firing techniques and how they have developed into the distinctive style of work she is known for today.
Join this rare chance to learn in real life!
Sunday 20 February, 2022
10am-4pm
$215 ($195 concession and current SCC students)
Venue: Slow Clay Centre, 13 Keele St, Collingwood, Victoria
CoVid19:
All students must be fully vaccinated. Our studio follows all Covid Safe recommendations. If we have to re-schedule due to a local Covid outbreak or border closures prevent teachers attending, we will offer either a refund or credit note.
Pre requisites
This course is suitable for students and/or potters or practitioners with an interest in wood firing. It would be most suitable for intermediate-advanced ceramics students however beginners are very welcome. Some understanding of basic ceramic terminology such as “reduction”, “oxidation”, and “neutral” atmospheres and different clay types and maturity temperatures will enable participants to understand the discussions.
About Jan Kesby: Jan is a highly respected ceramic artist and regularly exhibits nationally. Her training began in a production workshop on the outskirts of Sydney during the 1970’s with hands on practical training. This was followed by a traineeship at Sturt Craft Workshops, Mittagong – the first production workshop established in Australia. Following her traineeship, Jann moved back to the Mid North Coast of NSW where she established her own workshop, specialising in wood firing.
In 2006 Jann was was invited to attend a residency in Tokoname, Japan. It was was this trip that renewed Jann’s inspiration and provided ideas for different methods of firing. Upon her return, she set about constructing an anagama kiln. Jann enjoys firing her anagama and catenary arch kilns each year in the ongoing endeavour for unique results.
Jann has taught in Arts & Media through TAFE NSW, presented at and attended workshops, conferences and residences internationally. She was the manager and coordinator of the Dunghutti Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery from 2009 to 2018.
Jann’s work is held in public and private collections throughout Australia and internationally.
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© 2022 Slow Clay Centre. 13 Keele Street, Collingwood, Vic 3066, ph: 03.99437844
