Cockatoo Charger by Stephen Bowers

Stephen Bowers (b.1954) cockatoo charger 1982 earthenware, high…
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Stephen Bowers (b.1954) cockatoo charger 1982 earthenware, high fired, chrome oxide mix decoration Initialled & dated to base, height 6.5 cm,. Diameter 46.3 cm. Literature: http://robingibson.net/artists/stephen-bowers. Other Notes: the artist Notes: 'This was made at the old jam factory on Payneham Road. I threw a lot of plates on the wheel around that time & was firing to high fire in the big gas kilns there to stone ware & porcelain temperatures - using detailed eastern oriental patterning & other references with cartouches or reserves of 'Cockatoos' included. The oxide (pigment) used was a mixture of chrome & one or two other ingredients. That (this) piece is striving for painted decorative detail at a time when this was very improper - most pots being undecorated 'Brown & round' at the time. For what is its worth, that piece is a very good illustration of the development off my work at that time, exploring as it does our place/connection/relationship with Asia - particularly china & Japan with oriental patterning juxtaposed along side vernacular images of 'Australiana' - a cultural mash-up no less.' Stephen Bowers, January 2020

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  • Charger - An oversize dish or plate in ceramic, silver, or pewter primarily made for display, but able to be used for serving at the table or on a sideboard.
  • Earthenware - A basic ceramic material that is fired at a low temperature. Earthenware is the basis of almost all ancient, medieval, Middle Eastern and European painted ceramics. After firing, the colour is the colour of the clay when it is dug from the ground: buff, brown and red. It is not waterproof until glazed. Creamware is a type of earthenware covered with a transparent lead glaze. Majolica, faience and delft are also earthenware covered in an opaque white tin glaze.
  • Firing Crack - A firing crack is a crack in a porcelain or stoneware item that occurs whilst the item is in the kiln.They are usually caused by faulty design, where one part is thicker than the surrounding area, and being thicker it cools more slowly, setting up a stress with the surrounding area. Firing cracks are not often seen on modern mass produced porcelain, as the damaged items are discarded during prooduction. However they are seen in earlier items and artisan-produced objects.

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