Firing in Saggars
Korean and Japanese techniques are integrated into Hilda's work and these fuse with the local influences of culture, scenery and people.  During the last years Hilda has been especially taken by the Saggar firing technique derived from the ancient Chinese firing method.

The historic function of a saggar (heavy, stackable, coarse ceramic container) was to protect the ware against flame impingement and falling ash and grit in fuel burning kilns.

In fact the role of the saggars has been reversed.  The saggar now functions as a container in which to produce localized surface effects of the ware, exposing the work to combustibles and volatile materials, while protecting the kiln.

Hilda has adapted this technique to her work and uses a combination of organic materials, such as sea weed, shells, fruit peels, olive chaff, copper wire, etc in order to obtain special textures and colors. These give the Saggar-fired pieces a characteristic "ancient" look.

Instead of short-lived clay saggars Hilda builds a soft brick saggar inside the kiln and wraps each piece with aluminum foil in order to hold the organic materials around the work.

More information about saggar firing: www.ask.com/web

Please visit the saggar work gallery and  my latest 2008 firing