January 11 – April 12, 2009

Slow Clay: The Ceramic Art of Willi Singleton

Payne Hurd Gallery
“Making pots is like cooking. You have to start with good ingredients to get a flavorful, satisfying result,” says Willi Singleton, a local ceramicist whose ‘good ingredients’ come from the local clay found in his own backyard in Kempton, PA.  Singleton’s work is world recognized for its contemporary and elegant design, which he achieves using a very traditional wood-fired climbing kiln. He honed his skills in Mashiko, Japan, an area widely recognized for its superior ceramics. Singleton notes that as a student in Japan, he was taught that it is the potter’s job to express and bring out the character of the clay, the glaze and the fire. His teacher instilled in his students a respect for these materials as sources of creative potential. Aware of the perils of trying too hard and overpowering the clay, he constantly reminded them to “slow down, enjoy it!”

Singleton’s kiln, based on a Japanese prototype, requires round-the-clock stoking until an appropriate temperature is reached. The length of the firing depends on the volume of the kiln, and may take anywhere from 48 hours to 12 days or more. The burning wood not only produces great amounts of heat, it also produces fly ash, which settles on the pieces during firing and creates a natural ash glaze that cannot be achieved with any other type of firing. This glaze may show great variation in color, texture and thickness, ranging from smooth and glossy to rough and sharp, but always offers subtle enhancements achievable only through the slow rate of heating and cooling characteristic of the wood-fired process.

Support for this exhibition is provided by the S&R Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in Washington, D.C. to recognize and encourage talented young scientists and artists for their work, especially those who contribute to U.S.-Japanese understanding.

Related events:

$5 after 5
SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH, 5–7 PM
January 9
Meet the Artist: Willi Singleton

Show your date a night on the town with an evening at the Allentown Art Museum followed by dinner at the Allentown Brew Works. The museum is open from 5-7 PM on the second Friday of each month, October to March, and admission is only $5 (including special exhibition fee!). With your museum admission you will receive a coupon for a FREE beer sampler* with the purchase of an entrée at the Allentown Brew Works. Admission for members, as always, is free!

*One free sampler per table with purchase of entrée, 21 & over only. Must present coupon at time of ordering.

WEDNESDAY NOON GALLERY TALKS
Join curators, artists, and guest speakers on the first Wednesday of each month at noon for insightful gallery talks related to the permanent collection or special exhibitions. These casual talks run approximately 45 minutes and are free with Museum admission (unless otherwise indicated):

February 4
Slow Clay: The Ceramic Art of Willi Singleton
Willi Singleton, ceramist