A Study of Gloop Glaze Application in Ceramic Art and Design between 2013–2023

Abstract

Gloop Glaze has gained popularity in contemporary ceramics over the past decade. This study compiles and describes its visual characteristics in published works, focusing on appearances after firing. It also proposes hypotheses about pre-firing processes that may contribute to these results. The research is structured into two areas: the first explores glaze application, including placement and form before firing; the second considers how ceramic pieces are arranged in the kiln. Drawing on theories of glaze transformation during firing, the study shows that post-firing appearances are directly influenced by pre-firing processes. This supports the development of initial criteria for interpreting visual outcomes, leading to informed hypotheses regarding both glaze application and kiln loading.

The research commenced with the collection of works by six artists known for their expertise in Gloop Glaze. From a total of 389 collected images, 97 images were selected as samples and categorized using initial criteria, resulting in nine groups of appearances and hypotheses. Then, 23 pieces were randomly chosen for in-depth case studies. Simplified models based on these works were created to simulate glaze application and kiln loading. The findings provide a foundational framework for analyzing post-firing glaze appearances. This framework can inform future experiments and guide the development of new approaches for using Gloop Glaze in contemporary ceramic practices.