Art Things and Southern Things of Dallas is proud to carry pottery by David Westmeier. David Westmeier is known for its vessel forms functional pottery and large-scale raku tile murals. Early in his career, Westmeier created wheel-thrown functional stoneware pottery with earth-toned glazes fired in a gas reduction kiln. From 1985 onward, Westmeier focused on the raku firing method used in his large-scale tile murals.
Westmeier's work often features glazes that produce a copper finish during the reduction process in the raku firing sequence. Westmeier removes pieces from the 1,800F degree kiln when red hot with tongs, and places each piece into an air-tight metal chamber filled with combustible material (typically sawdust or paper). This step reduces oxygen in the chamber's atmosphere to a minimal level; encouraging color development, especially copper hues with select glazes.
The subject matter, especially for tile murals, includes fossil formations. Further information is drawn from microscopic observations of plant and aquatic life, invertebrates, and leaf detritus.
Later in his career, raku work returned to the vessel form. Westmeier throws a variety of vessels that are altered in the leather hard stage and combined to form the ultimate object.
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