John Nester

Recently, my work transitioned from classical vase forms with a copper matt glaze and dichroic glass lids to large platters and slab forms that appear like stretched canvas as tile compositions. In this current work, I continue to use the Raku firing process to embrace the elements of natural combustion, to bring together the earth resources of clay, copper, glass, fire, and organic fuel, and to celebrate the resulting art forms.

I am inspired by the images of stellar space captured by the Hubble and Webb space telescopes. We are now able to see the raw elements of stars exploding, and gas clouds forming new stars in the cycle of creation. It fascinates me to think that I can have clay go through a process similar to how the Earth was formed in space: heat, fusion, erosion, and then back to stone. The very nature of Raku firing requires you to embrace the lack of control and the magic of surprise. You must surrender your clay creation to the spontaneous combustion of elements controlled by universal forces.

Biography

John Nester teaches ceramics at Elmhurst University. He received his B.F.A in photography and Art Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and his M.F.A. in ceramics from Northern Illinois University. He taught ceramics as an adjunct faculty member for College of DuPage for 18 years. He retired from York High School in 2006 after teaching art in public schools for 38 years. His work can be found in private collections including  astronaut’s Jim Lovell, Sally Ride, Terry Hart and astrophysicist Niel deGrasse Tyson.