John Berton
Artist Statement
Much of what I do in my life takes into account the effect
my actions will have on the quality of the environment. My
ceramic work is primarily high fired stoneware but I have
been known to work in porcelain and earthenware. Surfaces,
when glazed use glazes composed of relatively
environmentally benign substances (i.e. no lead, cadmium,
barium, uranium, etc.). Some surfaces are simply a
combination of various metal oxides that fuse to the clay
body at high temperatures. Pieces are generally fired in gas
kilns to get the effects of reduction atmospheres and to use
the lesser of two kiln evils in the ceramic process (I avoid
the use of electric kilns whenever possible because lots of
electricity in the Chicago area is produced by nuclear
reactors which I believe to be a very bad idea. In other
areas, electricity is simply an inefficient way to produce
heat. Something is generally burned to produce steam to
produce electricity which is then used to produce heat. Too
roundabout. Too many phase changes where energy is lost.
Just burning the gas to get heat isn't perfect but it saves
quite a bit of energy. Hydro produced electricity is a
better idea but is fraught with environmental problems
associated with dams. Nothing's perfect.)
I produce many types of pieces. To me they are all related simply because I enjoy creating them. The series I most enjoy producing are garden lanterns and vases with "cracks". Additionally, I create many useful objects from bud vases, bulb forcing vases and "cache pots" to plates , cups, bowls, jars and serving items.
Some terms used here are defined in my own website where you will also find more photos.