I am deeply interested in Southern American folk wares and the three main cultural influences that this tradition was derived from: German salt glaze, English slipware, and Chinese ash glaze. These formal choices paired with a rigorous studio practice of critical dialogue and conceptual inquiry fuel my attempt to better access and articulate the content of functional pottery. This includes examining pottery from not only a functional standpoint, but the roles it plays historically, culturally, and symbolically. Handmade pottery, especially that from deeply rooted traditions, has survived our culture’s technological advancements, based on its ability to provide a meaningful aesthetic experience in concert with its delivery or containment of food and beverage. Towards this end I employ locally sourced clays and ash, as well as cullet, to situate the pots more specifically to their site of origin. I believe that a close working relationship with a few idiosyncratic materials yields qualities unattainable by those commercially available. The process of minimally refining clay, ash, and recycled glass coupled with wood firing in a salt atmosphere imbues the pots with a sense of liveliness and beauty. I appreciate the unknown factors and surprises implicit in these processes.
+For more information concerning the exhibition, available work, mailings, or a catalog of the show, please contact:
brycebrisco@gmail.com
These pieces are from his Industrial Ceramics Series. From his website:industrial ceramics have enabled me a continued participation in what i view as being the most significant traditional aspect of the discipline: the fire. through the medieval wood-fired process, the residual provides an object that has undergone an experiential transformation of both heat and fire. it provokes an interesting dialogue between the “old” and the “new” by presenting an honest focus on elements of the fire without creating a “pallet” (i.e. object)—thus challenging the intentions of the makers in utilizing a process serving to beautify a static object. i have found this transformation to be better understood, visually, by utilizing an everyday, recognizable object. the work entertains multiple conversations including contemporary wood-fired ceramics, asian aesthetics, duchamp/dada and the tea ceremony. for that reason i have focused primarily on porcelain bathroom furniture, revisiting historical associations involving vessels containing liquid.
a second aspect of the series deals the kiln’s/fire’s role change from being primarily surface-oriented to that of “maker.” while unearthing shards of thermal expansion, other considerations were revealed. among them were those of environmental consciousness—implications of recycling the excess material via reassembly versus discarding them—archeological associations—an homage to the work of the museum conservator—and last, considerations of historical eastern practices—the filling of exposed cracks with gold. 
Also check out his article
The crucibles shown in the first image were included in the Ohio Univeristy Ceramics Invitational 2010.
Here are a few choice shots taken during the symposium that just didn't seem to fit in anywhere else...thanks again to all our amazing photographers.
Bobby hard at work
Ben and Bryce at Logan Clay
The Department at Night
Many Thanks to Trisolini Gallery, and Petra Kralickova. As well as my co-curators, Natalie Tornatore, and Eleanor Harper, and co conspirator, James Tingey.
Also included in the show were Russ Wrankle, and Brian Harper.
Patrick Houston, who also attended the symposium.
Missy McCormick and Josh Copus.
Lindsay Oesteritter
Matt Hyleck
Birdie Boone
Brain Benfer
In conjunction with the Woodfiring Symposium we hosted a National Invitational Ceramics Exhibition in Trisolini Gallery which ran from July through October.
Dennis Sipiorski of Louisiana, a great potter and elvis impersonator.
Dan Anderson
Cary Hulin of Holmes County Pottery in Ohio.
McKenzie Smith
Michael Hunt and Naomi Diaglish
Ryan Greenheck
I had to include two images of Mary Louise Carters teapot,
Brian Deietrle
Tara Wilson
Adam Posnak
