John Stroomer

Superb ceramic artist specialising in crystalline glazes.

John has been a potter since 1972. His training in the Leach/Hamada tradition at the Bendigo Institute of Technology led to him working as a production potter employing 23 potters supplying markets throughout Australia until the late 1990's. This experience in the traditional disciplines combined with his substantial skills and knowledge, led him to work exclusively in the area of high fired porcelain, crystalline glazes and large hand thrown urns and collectables.

John strives to find the delicate balance between form and glaze with high fired porcelain clays and crystalline glazes which are specially formulated and fired up to 1320 degrees C. over 18 hours and then rapidly cooled to pre-determined temperatures which are then held for a further 8 hours to allow for the growth and formation of the crystals within the glaze matrix. John's delicate and beautifully thrown pieces combined with the random formation of crystals creates pieces of a quality which cannot be found in any other glaze finish or medium.

Each piece is a unique investment

Specially formulated glazes are fired to peak temperatures of 1320° Celsius before being rapidly cooled to a pre-determined temperature window where the crystals are grown. As crystal growth requires slow cooling these temperatures are held and further manipulated for a further 4-8 hours or more to allow for crystal growth within the glaze matrix. Crystals are formed at random and can take on a myriad of shapes. Spectacular effects created by the refraction of light within the glaze, give each piece a three dimensional quality and depth making crystalline one of the most stunning glaze finishes available.

CRAFT MARK AUSTRALIA Accredited