This ongoing work is an investigation of stress relations between ceramic bodies and glazes. Glazes are conventionally used as a coating layer providing the ceramic body with high chemical resistance, durability and aesthetic aspects. Alteration in the optimum conditions of the firing process (time, temperature, cooling) and individual glazes components, create chemical reaction that lead to the formation of glazes defects caused by improper stresses within glaze layers (tension, compression). These indelible marks can appear as crazing, cracking, peeling, pin-holing on the surface layer.
Inspired by a quote by Hans Selye, a pioneering endocrinologist, “I cannot and should not be cured of my stress, but merely taught to enjoy it.”, I started experimenting with the idea of beauty within stress marks and defects, which disable the intended utilitarian function of the ceramic vessel but create beautiful and aesthetically original outcome.