Martin Goerg

Ceramicist

Born to be a ceramicist

Martin focuses on large vessels
He has refined the tradition of salt glazing
He takes a sculptural approach

In the heart of the Westerwald lies Martin Goerg’s childhood playground: a clay mine. By spending his early years at his father’s clay mine and summers at his uncle’s ceramics workshop in southern Germany, Martin developed a unique connection to the material. “Ceramics sparked a deep passion within me that will last all my life,” he says. After finishing school, he pursued the traditional path of an artisan from apprentice to master, topped up with studies at the State College for Ceramic Design in Höhr-Grenzhausen. In 1990 he opened his own workshop in the town, where he still works today. Over the years, Martin has constantly reinterpreted and refined the ceramics traditions of his home region.

Interview

What is the focus of your work?: I focus on large vessels with salt glazing. During my studies I mastered the construction of large vessels with clay beads. The technique of salt glazing has been practised in my region since the Middle Ages and made the Westerwald stoneware world famous.
How did you come to work with this tradition?: I became familiar with it during my apprenticeship, but I found the resulting ceramics not very interesting. By attending an international salt firing exhibition, I gained new inspirations and started experimenting with it. I continue to develop new salt fire surfaces today, and they continue to fascinate me.
What role does functionality play?: Coming from traditional pottery, the vessel still fascinates me as a theme, but more and more I start to appreciate the three-dimensional nature of it: the sculpture. Thus, functionality increasingly takes a backseat.
Is ceramics fit for the future?: Ceramics is a complex subject and requires sound knowledge and a lot of experience, so good training is important. Unfortunately, I feel there's been little interest in the craft recently, but I am feeling a change. There is still a lot of interest in ceramics in East Asia or Latin America.

Martin Goerg is a master artisan: he began his career in 1990 and he started teaching in 2009