The natural world is usually an orderly place. Seasons flow into another, the moon, stars, and planets follow predictable paths; and death fuels rebirth just as surely as seedlings sprout in a fire-charred forest. But sometimes, nature is uncertain. Accidents occur. Patterns are broken. The results can be cataclysmic or captivating, or sometimes both.

Pottery, the most earthbound artform, is the same way. Anything can happen, especially in raku--pottery's equivalent of a high-wire act. Perhaps that's why, with his inborn sense of adventure and reverence for the elements at his command (but never completely under his control), Idaho artist Dave LaMure Jr. has emerged as one of raku's exciting talents. LaMure's large raku vessels are attracting attention for their unusual details and their sheer size. "I'm never quite sure if my hands make clay sing or if clay makes my hands sing--I just love the material."

Raku is an ancient technique of firing by which a glowing vessel is removed from the kiln immediately after the glaze has reached the temperature of maturation, about 1900 degrees. During this critical moment, iron tongs and layered clothing sometimes maintain safety and success while transferring the vessel. The piece is then nested in an airtight container with a bed of natural materials: sage, sawdust, pine cones, and owl pellets creating a reduction of oxygen. This reduction process causes heavy smoke which darkens the clay body and alters the glazed surface. Minutes later, pieces are removed and plunged into cold water, “freezing” these otherwise transient colors, leaving the unique beauty of black, copper lusters and crazed surfaces found in the raku creations. The perils of the process, the series of thermal shocks from traveling the four sacred elements--earth to fire to air to water--leave this unique vessel porous, semi-fragile and holding the captivating flavor of ancient experiences.

Beginning as a tea bowl in a Zen ceremonial celebration Raku is referred to with respect to it’s origin. For 400 years, in an unbroken line of 15 generations, the Raku family has preserved the unique ceramic tradition in Japan which remains intact today. The process is based upon a philosophical stance that values discipline and cherishes spontaneity each piece represents a manifestation of abstract spirituality. Dave is a naturalist dedicated to preserving wild air, animals and places for our children’s children.