ESRA SAKIR

Wild clay harvested directly from the ground is an adventure to experience. It changes all we think about ourselves, our purposes in life and our connection with the rest. Knowing how to treat it and giving it form resets the mind and slows down time.

 

Working with the soil enhances the empathetic relation between human and nature. Wood firing in particular, is a magical process that transforms your creations through the unpredictable dance of fire and natural elements. The flames and ash of the wood create unique textures and color variations that cannot be replicated in electric or gas kilns. For many ceramic artists, wood firing is an ancient practice that has been used across the world.

 

Many of today’s ceramicists yearn to experiment with this method, but due to its rarity and the resources required, few have had the chance to try. I experimented with the wild clay in Amsterdam at Lutkemeerpolder, in Sicily around Trapani, each geography offers its own characteristics. Sicily has preserved these methods in small local communities, making it one of the few places in Europe where this heritage remains strong.