About the Artist | David Camden

David Camden, of Hanover, is exhibiting work in our show, Marks. Forms. Layers. Camden is joined by artists, Carol Anna Meese and Patte Ormsby. Visit our website for more information on the show and exhibiting artists.

David Camden is represented by “Forms” in the show title, “Marks. Forms. Layers.”. Although many may recognize David Camden’s signature raku bowls, Camden’s work comes in all forms, shapes, and sizes. The signature raku bowls have a fluid design, which is made up of folds in the clay creating an elegant form. In addition to the raku pieces, David is exhibiting soda fired clay pieces, copper sculptures, and wood sculptures.

At the first Opening Reception, the artists spoke about their work and process. Similarly, at the second Opening, the artists set up tables with materials and visuals. Visitors were able to watch David as he worked on clay pieces on his wheel. During the opening he created four pieces, which can be purchased through Gallery Flux. Visit our website's "videos" tab to see David working at the opening!
 

Artist Statement

After receiving his degree in ceramics from Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont in 1978, David Camden opened Camden Clayworks in Ashland, Virginia. In addition to apprenticing many students in his studio over the years, he has also taught pottery in the Richmond area, primarily at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond and has been involved in the many Artists in Residence programs at the local schools. He has been included in as many as fifty shows in the Virginia area and his works is in numerous private collections.

 

David has been teaching and sharing his knowledge of ceramics for over thirty years. He was a staff member of Earthworks, Inc. in Richmond while still in high school. Also, he has been a staff potter (Falling Creek Pottery, Ashland, Virginia), a Teaching Assistant (Goddard College, Plainfield, Vermont), a part-time faculty member (J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, Richmond, Virginia), a prototype design artist (Larivey, Inc., Richmond, Virginia), an instructor (Hand Workshop/Visual Arts Center, Richmond, Virginia), and an Artist in Residence (Hanover County, Virginia). He continues today as an instructor at the Visual Arts Center in Richmond and as an Artist in Residence in Hanover County.   
 
 
 

About Raku

 

Raku developed with the increased popularity of the Japanese tea ceremony. The drinking of tea, which was closely associated with Zen Buddhism, developed into a formalized ritual where the Raku vessels which held the tea symbolized the beauty, the simplicity and unassuming qualities that were felt to be in harmony with everyday life.
Raku is a low-temperature (1700-1900 degrees F) firing technique, which results in porous pottery with a unique "crackle" (called craze) pattern in the surface glaze. The pot is removed from the kiln while glowing hot and then placed in a container filled with a combustible substance, such as wood-chips, sawdust, leaves or paper. The thermal shock produces the craze pattern as well as a smoked, accidental quality to the glaze.

Raku pottery is appreciated primarily for its aesthetic qualities. It has a porous clay body and is not intended to hold liquids or to be used in the oven.