Kiln god

Ceramics & Advanced CeramicsMr. MartinProject One

High SchoolArts Content Standards

1.0 Artistic Perception 1.5 Analyze the material used by a given

artist and describe how its use influences the meaning of the work.

2.0 Creative Expression 2.1 Solve a visual arts problem that

involves the effective use of the elements of art and principles of design.

What is a Kiln god?

Kiln gods are traditionally made out of raw or fired clay and placed over the entrance to the kiln.

Serving as charms or talismans, kiln gods are meant to guard against any kind of bad luck that might happen.

What is a Kiln god? In Playing with fire and kiln Gods, Martie Geiger-Ho explains why

she is so driven to make ceramics. “There are many reasons why American ceramists make kiln

gods, however, I believe that, like myself, most ceramists make kiln guardians as a means for helping to relieve stress and to dispel the anxiety caused by the difficulty of trying to control the outcome of a ceramic firing. For me the process of ceramics has always seemed magical and I have never had a firing I could totally control, including electric kiln firings. This seems to be the case for most ceramists and I imagine that this is why so many different cultures from around the world have developed some sort of kiln god mythology as a way of coping with the insecurities that come with making and firing ceramics.”

Kiln god History Chinese cities such as Jingdezhen and

Hong Kong, which either have or once supported a ceramics industry, kiln gods are worshipped and honored as important deities that help to protect the welfare of the entire ceramic community.

Kiln gods can be found in the traditions of many ancient cultures including the Chinese (Tung- the god of fire) and the Egyptian (Khun- protector of all things made on the wheel) cultures.

Kiln god History 

The story is a tale about a benevolent potter who honorably sacrificed himself in the flames of a ceramic kiln in order to save the emperor's huge ceramic vessels from firing imperfections and in turn his fellow craftsmen from an unjust punishment, which they would have surely suffered, because the emperor's command for the production of the massive porcelain water jars was a task that was technically impossible to carry out.

Current Kiln god news

There is even a National Kiln God Show every year!!!

The judges look for different and unique kiln gods, all of the entries are of superior workings and techniques.

The winning pieces are the ones that reflect the artistic and whimsical aspect of the kiln god.

Kiln god Requirements

Your Kiln god needs to be 3-d. Your Kiln god needs to be at least

2 inches wide and 3 inches tall Your Kiln god needs to be a

creature of some sort. Your Kiln god needs to stand

without support.

Kiln god

Some examples:

Kiln god

Some examples:

Kiln god

Some examples:

Kiln god

Kiln god

THIN PIECES BREAK!!!

Kiln gods from National Show

Kiln gods from National Show

Kiln gods from National Show

Kiln gods from National Show

Kiln gods from National Show

Kiln god

THIN PIECES BREAK!!!

Kiln god ideas

Assignment ~ Review ~

Your Kiln god needs to be 3-d. Your Kiln god needs to be at least

2 inches wide and 3 inches tall Your Kiln god needs to be a

creature of some sort. Your Kiln god needs to stand

without support.