ceramicist

A ceramicist is a craftsworker or artist who makes objects from ceramic materials, most commonly clay. The term covers both functional wares such as bowls, pots, and tiles, and sculptural or decorative works. Ceramics is among the oldest human crafts, with modern practitioners pursuing both traditional techniques and contemporary art.

Key materials include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Forming methods range from hand-building (pinching, coiling, slab construction) and wheel throwing to mold work. After shaping, pieces dry to leather-hard and are bisque-fired to a low temperature to remove water and strengthen the form. Glazes or slips are applied before a second firing, often at higher temperatures in electric, gas, or wood-fired kilns.

Decorative options include incising, carving, slip trailing, sprig textures, underglazes, slips, and overglazes. Finishes vary from matte to high-gloss and may involve surface treatments such as burnishing or sgraffito. Firing atmospheres (oxidation or reduction) and glaze chemistry influence color and texture.

Ceramicists work in studios or workshops, sometimes within production potteries or educational settings. Training ranges from apprenticeships and community programs to formal degrees in ceramics or fine arts. Equipment typically includes kilns, a potter's wheel, hand tools, and safety gear. Career paths may emphasize studio practice, teaching, or commercial manufacture, and artists often participate in exhibitions, residencies, and commissions.

Notable ceramicists include Grayson Perry, Shoji Hamada, Lucie Rie, and Betty Woodman, among others. The field reflects diverse global traditions, with regional techniques such as Japanese raku, Chinese stoneware, and Middle Eastern glazes influencing contemporary practice.