| SHELDON GANSTROM Biography and Raku Techniques |
Through thirty plus years of discovery and experimentation with electric kilns and post fire reduction,
ceramic sculptor, Sheldon Ganstrom, developed a rich vocabulary of textures
and glazes that enrich his unusual and elegant forms. Working from his studio in western Kansas,
Sheldon's work is informed by the fossils embedded in the native limestone, inspired by man's architectural
accomplishments and attendant vessel forms in Asian and Pre-Columbian cultures.
Exploring the emotional connection between the ceremonial vessel and the temple that houses them is the
primary concept behind this body of work. Inspired by both ancient and contemporary architecture and
vessels, this series investigates man's spiritual response to the buildings he creates and the utensils
contained within. In the past, man designed monuments and temples to worship and appease his gods,
vessels of great beauty and power served both man and the gods in mysterious rituals. Modern man has
shifted his creative drive to designing great buildings dedicated to commerce and science, yet the spiritual
urge for ritual, mystery and service still remains. These works represent the inner rituals and imaginary
ceremonial centers needed by a modern man.
Raku, a traditional form of Japanese pottery, first appeared in Japan in the latter part of the 16th century.
Today, raku potters have taken this ancient style of ceramics in many directions. Raku artist, Sheldon
Ganstrom began working with the process of American raku in the late l970's. His background in
drawing, design and stoneware culminated naturally in this media. A native of Kansas, Sheldon Ganstrom
has a degree in art education from Kansas State University and taught art in Kansas for 11 years (l975 -
l986). His work has been influenced by trips to China (2005, 2006 and 2008) and Mexico, especially the
Yucatan area and studies in Pre-Columbian and Asian ceramics. Very interested in the mystery and ritual
aspects of ancient ceramics, Sheldon Ganstrom states, "I work with the idea that my raku
fired sculptural ceramic pieces could transcend contemporary culture
and if transplanted in another time where the emphasis was on the
ritual of the ceremony they would be valued."
Translating the simple elegance of Asian ceramics and the ritual mystery of Pre-Columbian vessels into his
forms, Sheldon Ganstrom has produced a unique type of raku fired sculptural ceramic art. After achieving
the desired shape, through hand building or throwing on the potter's wheel, the pieces are bisque fired to
l800 degrees F. to harden the clay. Sheldon Ganstrom's bisque firings usually take two or three days so
that the work is raised in temperature very slowly. This is done because of the wide variety of thickness in
Sheldon's creations. After cooling, the pieces are glazed either by spaying or brushing and refire in the
raku process. The raku fired sculptural ceramics of artist Sheldon Ganstrom are fired to approximately
1800-1900 degrees F. in an electric kiln. This stage takes about two hours to reach maturity. The
majority of the work is too large for raku tongs to be used therefore he pulls the work out of the red hot
kiln using his hands protected with insulated mittens made of a heat resistant material. The work is then
placed in metal cans lined with newspapers. Immediate combustion takes place but when lids are placed on
the cans a reduction atmosphere is created. At this point in the process the pieces are either left in this
oxygen starved atmosphere for a period of time or they are manipulated in other ways to produce the
various affects that culminate in the finished work. After the piece has cooled it is cleaned with a propane
torch, abrasive cleaners, wire brushes, steel wool and a high amount of water pressure.
Many of Sheldon Ganstrom's works have a great deal of interesting textures juxtaposed with smooth, often
refined areas of gold and silver. Smooth areas next to textured surfaces have been the most constant
aesthetic element involved in his work for the last 25 years. Most of his work remains influenced by
architecture, both ancient and contemporary and the ever-present disintegration of the surfaces that
surround us.
In 2006 - 2007 his work was included in the international exhibition titled "Raku: Origins, Impact, and
Contemporary Expression" at the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA. His wall sculpture
"Pilgrimage Relic" was purchased by the museum for their permanent collection. Sheldon has exhibited his
work in over 300 juried exhibitions. His work is in public, corporate and private collections across the
United States, Japan, China, Europe, and Russia. He has been featured in numerous books.
ceramic sculptor, Sheldon Ganstrom, developed a rich vocabulary of textures
and glazes that enrich his unusual and elegant forms. Working from his studio in western Kansas,
Sheldon's work is informed by the fossils embedded in the native limestone, inspired by man's architectural
accomplishments and attendant vessel forms in Asian and Pre-Columbian cultures.
Exploring the emotional connection between the ceremonial vessel and the temple that houses them is the
primary concept behind this body of work. Inspired by both ancient and contemporary architecture and
vessels, this series investigates man's spiritual response to the buildings he creates and the utensils
contained within. In the past, man designed monuments and temples to worship and appease his gods,
vessels of great beauty and power served both man and the gods in mysterious rituals. Modern man has
shifted his creative drive to designing great buildings dedicated to commerce and science, yet the spiritual
urge for ritual, mystery and service still remains. These works represent the inner rituals and imaginary
ceremonial centers needed by a modern man.
Raku, a traditional form of Japanese pottery, first appeared in Japan in the latter part of the 16th century.
Today, raku potters have taken this ancient style of ceramics in many directions. Raku artist, Sheldon
Ganstrom began working with the process of American raku in the late l970's. His background in
drawing, design and stoneware culminated naturally in this media. A native of Kansas, Sheldon Ganstrom
has a degree in art education from Kansas State University and taught art in Kansas for 11 years (l975 -
l986). His work has been influenced by trips to China (2005, 2006 and 2008) and Mexico, especially the
Yucatan area and studies in Pre-Columbian and Asian ceramics. Very interested in the mystery and ritual
aspects of ancient ceramics, Sheldon Ganstrom states, "I work with the idea that my raku
fired sculptural ceramic pieces could transcend contemporary culture
and if transplanted in another time where the emphasis was on the
ritual of the ceremony they would be valued."
Translating the simple elegance of Asian ceramics and the ritual mystery of Pre-Columbian vessels into his
forms, Sheldon Ganstrom has produced a unique type of raku fired sculptural ceramic art. After achieving
the desired shape, through hand building or throwing on the potter's wheel, the pieces are bisque fired to
l800 degrees F. to harden the clay. Sheldon Ganstrom's bisque firings usually take two or three days so
that the work is raised in temperature very slowly. This is done because of the wide variety of thickness in
Sheldon's creations. After cooling, the pieces are glazed either by spaying or brushing and refire in the
raku process. The raku fired sculptural ceramics of artist Sheldon Ganstrom are fired to approximately
1800-1900 degrees F. in an electric kiln. This stage takes about two hours to reach maturity. The
majority of the work is too large for raku tongs to be used therefore he pulls the work out of the red hot
kiln using his hands protected with insulated mittens made of a heat resistant material. The work is then
placed in metal cans lined with newspapers. Immediate combustion takes place but when lids are placed on
the cans a reduction atmosphere is created. At this point in the process the pieces are either left in this
oxygen starved atmosphere for a period of time or they are manipulated in other ways to produce the
various affects that culminate in the finished work. After the piece has cooled it is cleaned with a propane
torch, abrasive cleaners, wire brushes, steel wool and a high amount of water pressure.
Many of Sheldon Ganstrom's works have a great deal of interesting textures juxtaposed with smooth, often
refined areas of gold and silver. Smooth areas next to textured surfaces have been the most constant
aesthetic element involved in his work for the last 25 years. Most of his work remains influenced by
architecture, both ancient and contemporary and the ever-present disintegration of the surfaces that
surround us.
In 2006 - 2007 his work was included in the international exhibition titled "Raku: Origins, Impact, and
Contemporary Expression" at the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona, CA. His wall sculpture
"Pilgrimage Relic" was purchased by the museum for their permanent collection. Sheldon has exhibited his
work in over 300 juried exhibitions. His work is in public, corporate and private collections across the
United States, Japan, China, Europe, and Russia. He has been featured in numerous books.
