Upcoming workshop focuses on Japanese ceramics technique

Raku is a Japanese ceramics technique that dates back to the 16th century. It involves ceramic wares that are fired for a short period of time and removed from the kiln the moment they reach their ideal firing temperature. An upcoming workshop spread across two days will teach participants all about the process, its tips, tricks and secrets.

Two four-hour workshops are planned for June 4 and 11, led by Vassos Demetriou, a graduate of the ceramic art school of the Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica – Faenza in Italy. Since 1982 he has his own workshop in Larnaca and specialises in different ceramic techniques including raku, stoneware, terra sigillata, copper matte raku and clay. June’s afternoon workshops at the Art Hub Visual Arts Laboratories in Nicosia, will focus on the Japanese ceramics technique.

“A western variation of the Raku technique,” explain the workshop organisers, “is the addition of organic materials on the hot fired ceramics, creating an intense reduction process that produces specific colours, textures, and metallic highlights with the parallel use of copper, bismuth and silver oxides. The unpredictable and astonishing results of Raku – the blackened smoked clay and the lively coloured glazes that are achieved in just a few hours – still draw great attention and enthusiasm. Let’s learn this unique technique together, under the guidance of our master ceramist Vassos Demetriou.”

Limited places are available due to Covid-19 measures so early booking is necessary and of course, masks will have to be worn throughout the workshop. Nonetheless, Vassos and his students will get to experiment with clay creations through the Japanese art of ceramics.

Raku Workshop with Vassos Demetriou

Two-day workshop on a Japanese ceramics technique. June 4 and 11. Art Hub Visual Arts Laboratories, Nicosia. 4pm-8pm. Register until June 3. Contact: 22-510100, 99-011181 and [email protected]