Artist: Anne Carrel

"The artifacts of processes that indicate the physical change of natural materials catch my eye. Dramatic things like mountains, buildings, and erosion inspire me; as well as subtle things such as patterns of lichen on a rock, or a cactus skeleton. What I see around me are prints of time fold... (more)

"The artifacts of processes that indicate the physical change of natural materials catch my eye. Dramatic things like mountains, buildings, and erosion inspire me; as well as subtle things such as patterns of lichen on a rock, or a cactus skeleton. What I see around me are prints of time folds, cracks, stains, and scratches in the continuum of change. This will eventually reveal the mineral mix of a stone to its core just as well as they will metaphorically reveal the nature of a person.

Flakes of oxidation, like red and yellow rust on steel, changes the form and appearance of its source; like the gray hairs I found on my head this morning.

Everything that is human made and abandoned, taken back by nature, shows subtle textures given by the power of its elements."

International Artist Anne Carrel was born in Fribourg, Switzerland. She learned under famed artists in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, and the U.S. She has developed her unique techniques and style after years of practice. Anne specializes in oversized Naked Raku works made from slabs.

She has exhibited her work throughout Europe and North America. In 1996, Anne came to the U.S., traveling and networking with ceramic artists, and thereafter opened a studio in Tucson, AZ. She learned casting and sculpting while working with bronze sculptor Mark Rossi. Anne's studio moved to Oracle, Arizona in 2003, where she now continues to teach Naked Raku and Paperclay workshops.

In 1992, Anne began to work with a unique form of Raku known as naked raku and, for the past fifteen years, she has chosen to place her major focus on this technique that has captivated her. While many people are familiar with Raku, there are extremely few practitioners of Naked Raku.

Anne describes naked raku as feminine. She feels that Naked Raku's lack of glaze gives the clay a feeling of subtle intrigue with its luminescent burnished slips, textured surfaces, and smoke patterns.

During the past few years, Anne has met technical challenges that have allowed her to create large naked Raku works from rolled slabs. Large slabs in Raku are uncommon because they do not have the inherent strength of cylindrical or spherical shapes and thus do not as easily withstand thermic shock. In addition, a dramatic crackling effect is difficult to achieve with flat shapes. Her current primary focus is wall hanging platters in various colors, shapes, and sizes. While these platters are wired and hung in any direction, they may also be used as functional fine art when placed on a flat surface such as a table. (hide)