Glazes and the magic in their chemistry
- Ralph specialises in glaze experimentation
- He mainly works with porcelain
- Teaching ceramics is central to his practice
Ralph Johnson’s porcelain works combine precision with wabi-sabi sensibilities and the excitement of experimental glaze. Originally trained as a dentist, Ralph found creative solace in weekly ceramics classes. “All my anxiety disappeared then and there,” he says. He studied ceramics at the University of Natal, where a global emphasis on craftsmanship, simplicity and function shaped his approach. After earning his honours degree, he completed a master’s in ceramic design at Staffordshire University, and took part in a three-month placement at Royal Doulton. Ralph has lectured at Paarl College and Stellenbosch University for over two decades, and served as chairman of Ceramics SA for 12 years.
Interview
- Why do you love working with clay?
- It is the most therapeutic thing you can have in your life. Clay makes me lose sight of the rest of the world. When I feel like something's not working out for me, I start throwing. It just relaxes me.
- What is it like to work as a ceramicist?
- It is just wonderful. Even though it could be tough to make a living out of it at first, every day spent creating is a good day. It is about being happy.
- Why do you make your own glazes?
- When you make your own glaze, you learn how to rectify mistakes. You understand why a glaze runs or why it has pinholes. I think people who are facing difficulties with firing can solve a lot of their problems if they learn glaze chemistry.
- How do you work with wabi-sabi?
- Bumps in glaze could look either magical or crude. Instilling the right techniques in my students is the primary goal of my teaching. The rules can be broken once they are mastered.
Ralph Johnson is a master artisan: he began his career in 1984 and he started teaching in 1985
