Souffleur, what is the meaning of 'raku'?

SOUFFLEUR

Raku

In ‘Souffleur’, M staff explain specialist terms that may sound familiar to you but perhaps no have forgotten what they mean, or you never did know.

Inge Cloetens, Registrar of the Collection: ‘Raku is a type of glazed earthenware that is fired at high temperatures and then abruptly cooled, creating a distinctive cracked pattern. Japanese tea bowls have been crafted using this technique since the 16th century.’

“In the 20th century, raku made its way to the West, albeit with a twist. The pottery is fired, dried, glazed, and then fired again at 1000 degrees before being removed from the kiln – just like in Japan. However, it is then placed in a container with wood shavings or scraps of paper, which subsequently ignite. The glaze reacts with the smoke and carbon. Thus, the object acquires not only black cracks, but also a metallic sheen and all manner of colour effects.”

‘Many contemporary artists experiment with the raku technique. They use feathers or horsehair instead of wood shavings, creating unpredictable patterns. Grace Schwindt is currently exhibiting at M, and she also uses this technique.’

‘Raku is a difficult process to control. The clay can explode as a result of the temperature shock. But it is this very unpredictability that leads to such stunning results.”