Monthly Archives: December 2018

Fine porcelains at Warburton

 

  

Alistair Whyte porcelain vase with botamical decoration

Porcelain vase – Alistair Whyte

 

 

Masterful porcelain art by Alistair Whyte 

 

After Alister Whyte began studying ceramics at the University of Kyoto in 1978, the opportunity arose to work in the personal workshop of the master porcelain maker, Hirokuni Katsuno, whose major influence had been his teacher,  Hikaru Yamada, famous for being one of the founding fathers of the Sodeisha avant garde ceramics group in Kyoto.
For Alistair, this was the attainment of a previously unfulfilled ambition: to study with Katsuno, to further his own knowledge, for mastering the challenge of creating clean, purity of design pottery using fine white porcelains.
Having already completed a Diploma in Ceramic Design in Bendigo, Australia from 1973-75, he was confronted with several challenges such as adapting to the culture with limited Japanese language skills and learning different pottery techniques along with imbibing the subtle philosophies behind the Japanese pottery methods.

 

Three porcelain cups in blue and white by Alistair Whyte

Three porcelain cups in blue and white –  Alistair Whyte

Alistair’s interest in the Japanese pottery arts had initially been piqued in 1974, when he met the Japanese potter, Shunichci Inoue, in Australia. Also, from a young age, his interest in Oriental art was aroused by the fact that his grandparents had lived in China for several decades and had a collection of Eastern art
When in Japan, Alistair learnt that the Japanese notion of inner beauty is highlighted by the fact that, in contrast to the Western technique, Japanese potters throw to the inner surface of the pot, ensuring the inside shape is given more focus than the outside, during the process of forming a piece. Generally, more tools are used in making Japanese ceramics than in the West, and this is particularly the case in making porcelain, where, after throwing, the outside shape is turned to mirror the inside.

 

.Porcelain vase with floral motif

Porcelain vase with floral motif

In Kyoto, he also learnt the sophisticated Kikumomi technique of kneading the clay in a circular movement, resulting in a pattern reminiscent of a chrysanthemum flower. Alistair also adopted the intuitive Mizubiki throwing technique, where a large central piece has smaller pieces added from the top (throwing off the hump) and the potter follows his feel for the quantity required without any specific measurements.
Alistair Whyte’s pottery has evolved to become a hybrid mix between East and West and his repertoire also includes the use of raku, earthenware and stoneware. On returning to Australia, Alistair established a studio in the idyllic mountain location of Warburton, where he built a wood fired kiln, and he is still using imported porcelain clay from Japan, for its refined quality.

 

Ovoid vase with abstract motif - Alistair Whyte

Ovoid ceramic vase with abstract motif – Alistair Whyte

 

 

Ceramic-Casserole-pot-in blue and white -- Alistair-Whyte

 Lidded casserole pot

 

Alistair Whyte lidded vessel with geometric decoration

Alistair Whyte lidded vessel with geometric decoration

Skespi Gallery

 

Alistair Whyte--Skepsi gallery

Alistair Whyte pottery

 

Wood fired ceramic bottle by Alistair Whyte

Wood fired bottle by Alistair Whyte

 

 

Porcelain teapot – Alistair Whyte

 

 

Ceramic vase with muted palette - Alistair Whyte

Ceramic vase with muted palette – Alistair Whyte

 

 

Pinr tree motif plates - Alistair Whyte

Ceramic plates with pine tree motif

 

Alistair-Whyte-ceramic chawan

Emerald green ceramic chawan

 

 

Three rust brown ceramic mugs

 

Porcelain vase with gum leaf decoration

Porcelain vase with gum leaf decoration

 

 

Alistar Whyte Australian potter

Alistair Whyte

 

White porcelain bowls with dark blue leaf motifs - Alistair Whyte

White porcelain bowls with dark blue leaf motifs – Alistair Whyte

 

Japanese tea making -- Black chawan bowl - Alistair Whyte

Black chawan – Alistair Whyte

 

Alistair Whyte ceramic turquoise beaker

Alistair Whyte turquoise beaker

 

 

large dinner set - Alistair Whyte

Large blue and white dinner set – Alistair Whyte

 

 

Porcelain Dinner set – Alistair Whyte

 

Alistair-Whyte ovoid vase--David-Goggins----Flickr

Alistair Whyte ovoid vase

DavidGoggins—Flickr

 

 

 

porcelain teapot by Alistair Whyte

Blue and white porcelain tea pot

 

 

Azure blue on white vase by Alistair Whyte

Alistair Whyte bottle vase

 

 

Kiyomizu-ware-white-porcelain-Umaue-cup-Hirokuni-Katsuno

Porcelain Umaue cup – Hirokuni Katsuno

 

 

Alistair Whyte in his studio

Alistair Whyte – photo Lucent Vignette Photography

Embody your Muse

 

 

blue and white bowl and beaker - Alistair Whyte

Blue and white porcelain bowl and beaker

 

Unloading the kiln at Warburton

 

Alistair Whyte website