| Steve Robinson |
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Born in Blackpool, England, Steve Robinson received his B.F.A. Honors Degree from the University of Manitoba in 1979. His major areas of study were painting and drawing. His drawings have been exhibited in various galleries in Winnipeg. In 1982, Steve studied Graphic Arts. Finding this field too limiting, he began to explore a more creative outlet. With the strong urge to return to the roughness of his earlier work, he began to work with clay. Excited by the Raku process, he began drawing with clay attempting to push it to its limit. He now enjoys the freedom of hand building pots and the chance happening of the firing. Raku is a traditional ceramic art form that originated in 16th century Japan. The firing process of raku is both dramatic and physically demanding. The work is fired to 2000 degrees. The kiln is then opened and the work is removed and placed in a pit of combustible material such as leaves or paper which immediately ignites into an explosion of flames. The piece undergoes a radical transformation while smoking and reducing , producing crackles and vibrant colours. This transformation is stopped by plunging the piece into water, freezing the glaze where it is. The results are quite spontaneous and very beautiful. |
