Chris Wolff

Chris Wolff Pottery

Fort Collins, Colorado

To ensure unique and quality work, Chris Wolff performs all aspects involved in the producton of his pottery. He hand throws all his work in one piece and trims each piece with great detail. Chris exclusively utilizes two different finishing processes: Raku firing with post firing reduction and hair decorating. The majority of his pieces are created through the Raku firing process. For this process, each piece is heated very rapidly and pulled from the kiln at approximately 1800 degrees. The piece is immediately placed in organic material (combustibles) and then covered to create a reducing atmoshere. The result is a burst of purples, greens, oranges and blues in different patterns which are directly created by the flaming combustible materials.

Chris also utilizes a hair decoration technique. As with the Raku firing process, the piece is pulled red-hot from the kiln and then hair (horse, human, buffalo, etc.) is draped over the surface of the piece. The hair instantly burns, leaving the carbon pattern of that burn as decoration.

With both finishing processes, each pot, from the first conceived design ideas thrown on the potters wheel through the finishing steps of the Raku post-firing reduction or hair decorating process, represents a sense of continuous participation and provides a spontaneous final investment in his work. Chris has a great deal of control over material, design, and form. However, within the act of both the firing and decorative processes, there is always a certain randomness and uncertainty which prevails. It is the experience of these final elements of surprise, anxiety, disappointment, and delight which excites and sustains him in his ceramic pursuits. And, it is this combination of detailed control in the form process combined with the "controlled unpredictability" of the final decorative process which is the significant balance to the strength of his work.

The Purple Pomegranate
Toll free: (866) 406-7227
Email: info@purplepomegranate.com