lithuanian collections

‘vilnius tales’

i have been travelling to vilnius, the baltic country of lithuania since 2013. using the workshops at the ‘black ceramics center’, a group dedicated to the preservation of the making and firing techniques of the black ceramics of lithuania. a method of once firing the earthenware pieces in a wood and smoke fired atmosphere, so the smoke and wood oils permeate the clay making the material waterproof and giving the surface a black metallic finish. on my return home i crushed some of these pieces adding these particles into the porcelain. the materials have seeped out of the clay and glaze creating a melted surface over the form.

‘100 laužų/# lt100’ – 100 fires

i was fortunate enough to be there in 2018, as they celebrated the centennial of the restored state of lithuania, marking the 100th anniversary of the act of independence of lithuania which was signed on 16 february 1918. 100 fires were lit along the entire length of the main street, gediminas avenue, in the center of vilnius, returning in the early hours i collected ashes from the burnt-out fires.