Porcelain (New Ceramics)

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Reading this book was a delight - not least because I’d first discovered Vivienne’s beautiful porcelain on a visit to The Oxford Gallery in the late 1990s. As a (mature) student wrestling with porcelain, I was in awe of the fine, sinuous, white vessels standing before me. This book is a pleasure to read, beginning with a brief but engaging history of this amazing material, right back to the first proto porcelains of 1700-1027 BC, forward through China’s many Dynasties and their export trade, how Korea became involved, then Japan, Europe and England. Vivienne even touches down briefly in America with an amusing anecdote about an enterprising Quaker (amateur potter) who employed someone in the pay of an English competitor and . . . wondered why all the handles fell off in the kiln! We are reminded of the longevity of this beautiful, vitrified, material when told of shipwrecks where many porcelain treasures are still surfacing from the depths - all perfectly preserved. An articulate analysis of the chemical constituents of Porcelain follows. Then a simple explanation of how the different components contribute to the workability of this material. This is accompanied by a list of commercially available porcelain bodies to suit a range of uses, linked to a properties chart. Instruction on slip casting and working marbled or agate wear appears confidently made. I usually produce my own Porcelain Paper Clay but Vivienne’s advice on using commercial PPC seemed sound, as did her advice on preparing your own porcelain body – with recipes to match! Vivienne clarifies the pitfalls of running other clays in tandem with this ‘precious princess’. Porcelain, really doesn’t like any competition in the workspace! The author’s tips on taming the temperamental beauty generously proliferate throughout the book. Vivienne is so obviously ‘in tune’ with her material. Glazing and firing are my least favourite parts of the ceramic process, having said that, this book contains comprehensive chapters on both, reiterating my own discovery that most stoneware glazes can be adapted for porcelain use, often with even better results! The sections on kilns and firing are certainly covered well enough to hold the interest of any embryonic, future pyromaniac!The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with a broad range of inspiring examples from porcelain practitioners around the world. Jeanne Openhaffen’s architectural, wall hanging ‘Dancing Shadow’ contrasts with Sandra Byers’s beautifully intimate hand formed pieces. Whereas Caroline Cheng’s installation ‘Prosperity 2012’ takes the breath away with hundreds of unglazed porcelain butterflies settled on a winged-sleeved, hessian, suspended garment.In Summary: An interesting background history with good technical information, enhanced by many inspirational images; This book give the reader a taster for what can be achieved using this amazing material and is a ‘must read’ for all those who have an interest in working with porcelain, from student through to knowledge seeking, established, practitioner.

I like this book very much. It is crammed with well-informed technical info. The photos are amazing, featuring inspiring work by over forty world ceramic artists, including the author.

Very good organized content, full of necessary info clearly explained.

Es un libro muy comrehensiva sobre porcellana, lleno de informacion y muchas de technical y aesthetica tambien. First class source of detailed information. Buy it!!!

Good history of porcelain, including technique.

Great examples of great ceramic artists!

j'adore ce livre, les artistes qui y sont présentés sont mes références principales en matière de porcelaine, il est bien structuré,clair, un excellent achat une fois de plus chez Amazon.il est d'occasion mais semble neuf en plus