Kelpies is a ceramic based exploration focussing on the essence of the beach, specifically Ocean Beach, San Francisco. The main goal was to make ceramic instruments that can be played by the windy terrain of Ocean Beach. Throughout the making of the vessels the materials of the beach became part of the process.
The Clay was fired to bisque which is around 1000F, where the body is still porous to hold glaze, then soaked for 24 hours in ocean water. The salt and various minerals in the water were absorbed by the clay body, and during a firing to Cone 10 (2,420F) changed the colors of the raw clay completely. Reflecting various shades from blue to orange, The colors you see are chemical reactions!
Minerals that could be found in Ocean Beaches water that could have effected the various colors on the clay body are: Magnetite, Feldspar, Rutile, Calcium Carbonite, Sodium, Iron and much more! These minerals don’t just affect the clay itself but the glazes on top of the vessels, creating a smokiness under the celadon glaze used. Which consists of Mahavir Feldspar, Flint, Whiting, Grolleg Kaolin, and Red Iron Oxide. This is a glaze that has been used since ancient china for ceramics.
