Joe Finch

Joe will be firing his environmentally friendly 'chip oil kiln'.

Artist Statment:

As a full time potter, who has made a living from my pottery for over forty years, it has always been essential that I have had a reliable and economic kiln.

Being raised and taught at Winchcombe Pottery, alongside a number of skilled potters, ensured that from an early age I experienced a wonderful training. Part of this training included the experience of kiln building, when I learnt first hand the basics of kiln design. This was to stand me in good stead when, at the age of 22, I was employed to establish the first studio pottery in Lesotho (Southern Africa) and had to design and build a 60cu. ft. oil fired kiln.

Kiln building is a subject that has always fascinated me and over the years I have built numerous kilns of different size and fuel type for myself and other potters. My book Kiln Construction has recently been published and I hope it will encourage and help others to build their own kiln.

My love and fascination with wood firing started in 1973 when I moved to Scotland to establish Appin Pottery. Wood was a cheap and plentiful fuel. I enjoyed the firing process and loved the results. I didn't realise it then, but firing with wood is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to fire a kiln, especially if you are using waste wood. However most people are unable for various reasons to fire that way.

The used vegetable oil from the chip shop or local takeaway is another waste product that is not a fossil fuel. I hope to demonstrate that this free fuel can successfully fire to stoneware temperatures and can, not only save your pocket but also help the planet.