THE ART OF THE COIL

An ancient technique that has survived for centuries

Coil pots have been constructed since prehistoric times. While a time-consuming process to novice makers, this construction method can be quite efficient. Modern potters often look to skilled makers from indigenous cultures, such as those from the American southwest, Africa, and Papua New Guinea.

MAKERS

Jami Porter Lara

Jami Porter Lara uses an ancient technique of coil building to make sculptural pieces reminiscent of modern plastic bottles, creating a unique statement of place.

Jami's website

Juan Quezada and Mata Ortiz

Juan Quezada studied pre-hispanic pots of the Mimbres and Casas Grandes cultures, developed techniques to imitate their construction, and reinterpreted the work to create his own designs. He has exhibited widely outside of his native Mexico. Quezado shared his success with families in his local community by teaching them his techniques, and helping them to create a new ceramic tradition in Mata Ortiz, creating a hub of ceramic wares in northern Mexico.

Workshop with Mata Ortiz potter Jerardo Tena

Ladi Kwali

Ladi Kwali was a Nigerian potter who received a number of national awards as well as international recognition for her work. In 1954 she began working at the Abuja pottery training center established by British potter Michael Cardew. This video shows her constructing and decorating pots at Abuja and the Wentford Bridge pottery in Cornwall, England. Reknowned British potter Magdalene Odundo studied under Ladi Kwali in the early 1970s.

JOMON POTTERY OF JAPAN
(ca. 10,500 B.C.–ca. 300 B.C.)

Pottery of the Jomon Period in prehistoric Japan includes pots with elaborate flame-like coil designs embellishing the tops of vessels.

LINKS

TUTORIALS

Some Coil Construction Advice from Erin Furimsky

East Asian Wedged Coil Technique with Joyce Michaud, including a concave foot

OTHER COIL POT ARTISTS

Magdalene Odundo

Maria Martinez Black Ware Pottery construction, decoration and pit firing

Lucy Martin Lewis - Native American potter inspired by ancestral techniques. See her work here, and find links to other Acoma Pueblo potters.

Michael Wisner - a student of Juan Quezada who has developed his own contemporary approach. Textured decorations inspired by nature adorn his pots. He demonstrates and explains his inspiration in this video.

Sixth generation Korean Onggi potter Kim Young-Ho

Mihara Ken constructs a sculptural vessel using coils in this video.

YoonJee Kwak makes sculptural vessels using a coil technique that

mimics weaving

Greenwich House Coil Pot Show, features 11 contemporary coil pot artists, including YoonJee Kwak

David Roberts, British potter working in naked raku

Avital Sheffer Australian potter creating large vessels with refined surfaces