Nerikomi: The Art of Colored Clay

A fully illustrated examination of the use of color in clay, outlining its history and exploring the styles and techniques of the leading modern makers.

In nerikomi pottery, a ceramicist takes two or more different colored clays and combines them to create a decorative scheme that is then fired into the very fabric of the piece. Most often the colored designs or patterns – which may be coiled, marbled, geometric, mosaic or naturalistic – can be seen right through the piece, inside and out, the carefully engineered design permeating the structure, as opposed to using an external coat of glaze for the decoration.

In this exploration of the approach, renowned ceramicist Thomas Hoadley explains various colored-clay techniques, defining nerikomi and its close relations neriage and agateware. Hoadley examines the work of historical and modern potters worldwide, from the Japanese masters Matsui Kosei and Ito Sekisui (both distinguished as Living National Treasures) to the likes of Curtis Benzie, Dorothy Feibleman, and Barbara Gittings. Each of these artists has taken inspiration from particular sources, refined an individual technique through trial and error, and produced a distinctive signature style.

This fascinating book includes breathtaking images of finished pieces, and work-in-progress photographs, both from the author and from other leading experts in the field. Whether you have a general interest in ceramics or are seeking inspiration before embarking on your own nerikomi adventure, it tells you all you need to know about the work of the world’s leading colored-clay artists.

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