Layers of glaze
- Bjarni uses volcanic ashes in his creations
- After training in Denmark, he returned to Iceland
- Rough glaze textures reflect his local landscape
Using a combination of moulds, innovative glaze recipes and hand painting techniques Bjarni Sigurðsson creates earthy pieces of ceramic. He fires his pieces multiple times building up the colour and texture. Since 2010 he has incorporated ash from the volcano Eyjafjallajökull, literally adding a piece of Iceland to his work. His experiments have resulted in an ever-increasing repertoire of glazes which make him stand out from the crowd. But this man who has such a natural affiliation with clay only started his journey in 1996, when he quit his job and went to study at Aarhus School of Art. Now he has made ceramics his life and from his studio in Reykjavik he sells work across the world.
INTERVIEW
After taking courses in drawing, sculpture and painting I decided to take one in ceramics. When my fingers touched the clay that first evening something transformed inside me and a change started that ended with me quitting my job and moving to Denmark.
I recall my art teacher looked at me when I first touched the clay, and I smiled like a child. I could not stop laughing inside and I was in touch with something that told me “this is you”. My heart melted.
In Denmark my teacher let me play with glazes far beyond what the rules of the school dictated. Now I make all my glazes and experiment systematically; with great attention to detail. I have thousands of glazes and work with them in all kinds of ways.
During my first solo show in Iceland at Hafnarborg Center of Culture and Fine Arts, an established artist came to me with tears running down his face. He was overwhelmed by the work! We had a connection that moved me; gave me a rush of energy to keep on my path.
