Sitting Raku Mama Polar Bear

Mama Polar Bear
A raku-fired mama polar bear, embodying quiet strength and protection. The surface reveals organic crackles and smoky tones, created through the alchemy of fire and reduction. Each marking is unique, echoing the raw beauty of the natural world. A nurturing presence, she stands as a symbol of resilience, strength and wonder.

Raku is a visually striking and somewhat unpredictable method of firing ceramics, often described as a performance-like process.

Unlike conventional firing, where pieces cool slowly inside the kiln, in raku the work is removed while still glowing red hot. It is then placed into a container filled with combustible materials such as sawdust, paper, or leaves. These materials ignite, creating a smoky, low-oxygen environment.

This rapid change produces two key effects:

• The glaze develops fine crackles in organic, unpredictable patterns

• Carbon from the smoke penetrates the surface, darkening the clay and accentuating those crackles

The piece is then cooled—often in water—which sets these effects permanently.

In essence, raku is a process shaped by heat, rapid change, and atmosphere, where the artist guides the outcome, but chance and natural forces play an essential role.