High Fire Raku Firing with Aaron Scythe

Join Aaron in this workshop as he leads participants on an exhilarating journey through the fiery world of raku. Discover the intricacies of his decorating techniques, witness his distinctive throwing style, and experience the thrill of firing your own teabowls in a high-fire raku kiln, Hikidashi style!
--
Attendee Requirements - Please bring 2 bisque fired tea bowls to be fired in the raku kiln, glazes will be provided. Wear ONLY clothing safe for firing, natural fibre such as denim, cotton and wool. No polyester. Those with long hair must have hair tied up safely.
--
Aaron Scythe was born in Auckland and after leaving school in 1986 became a slip-caster at Halls Industries, making mainly ceramic lampshades. In 1998, he began a Craft Design course at Carrington Polytechnic and a year later went to Sydney to study at East Sydney Tech Ceramic School.He moved to Sturt Craft Centre, Mittagong, NSW in 1993 for work and self-directed study. While there, he built and fired an anagama (wood-fired) kiln, also spending short periods in Dubbo, NSW.In 1995, he first visited Japan for further study and in 1997 rented a studio in Mashiko, building a second anagama kiln. He established a permanent studio in Mashiko in 2006 and built a third wood-fired kiln, but following the Fukushima meltdown in 2011, Aaron, his Japanese wife, Soari, and their two children came to New Zealand to live. He set up a studio in Te Aroha in 2012, moving to Whanganui in 2014 where he is currently living and potting.Aaron has studied many aspects of the Japanese Mino style of pots including Oribe, Kizeto, and Hikidashi techniques and shino glazes. Greatly influencing the philosophical approach and techniques which can be seen in his work today. Aaron’s current work reflects both his New Zealand and Māori heritage. During the sixteen years he lived in Japan, he had over sixty solo exhibitions and since his return to New Zealand, Aaron has continued to exhibit in Japan as well as exhibiting in this country, the UK, and USA. With his work being widely collected worldwide.