Annual Holiday Show And Sale At Savage Studio

DANBURY — Phyllis Savage is presenting a show of her latest work at Savage Studio on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through December 23. Holiday hours are Friday through Sunday, noon to 6 pm.

Included in the show are Ms Savage’s latest wood fired and glazed work.

“My art has taken a new direction in 2007.  I have been working on a much larger scale,” said Ms Savage. “Aesthetically, I have been attempting to have my work reflect the fluidity of the clay in its original moist state.  I think of this technique as ‘controlled failure’ in which I take the work nearly to the point of collapse so that it slumps and folds but still maintains its integrity.  In this way the clay itself becomes an active participant in the result. Sometimes I don’t succeed, but when I do I believe the effect is wonderful and reflects much greater life.”

Phyllis Savage experienced her first wood firings at Alfred University and in Shigaraki, Japan, both earlier this year. She also traveled this year through Korea and Japan where she visited with accomplished ceramic artists, some old and many new friends.  From all of them she brought home invaluable lessons, ideas and inspiration.

The process of wood firing is active and unpredictable. The wood species, ash, humidity, ambient temperature, air pressure, rate of heat rise, draft, oxygen levels, clay composition, kiln design, loading and firing duration all dramatically affect the results.

The interaction of the clay and wood ash creates surface colors, textures and patinas which eliminate the need for glazes.

Because a certain lack of control, wood firing lends itself particularly to the more fluid, less structured forms Ms Savage has been creating recently.

“Opening a wood fire kiln several days after the end of a firing is pure serendipity,” said the artist.

Savage Studio is at 93 Mill Plain Road. Call 743-3000 or visit SavageStudio.com for addition information including directions to the studio and images of work.