I am inspired by the relationship between nature and the human psyche.

I create functional pottery, representational and abstract sculpture that are primarily finished in multiple day wood firings. This is a technique that utilizes flame and ash to paint across the surface of clay, which creates organic pattern and color through chemical reactions produced by heat and time. Pieces come into direct contact with burning wood and long firings accumulate wood ash onto clay surfaces resulting in raised texture, drips and flashing color that can only be achieved by burning wood mixing with glazes. Wood firing demands specific placement of objects within the kiln, chemical balance of elements and strength in movement to physically fire the kiln. I am always trying to find my personal balance between material control and leaving space for serendipitous effects across the surface of my forms. This way finishing the work always includes many unknown elements and I never know fully how they will look until they come out of the kiln. This mystery is an important aspect to my making and overall aesthetic. This practice engages the whole body in a way that connects me to my intuition, cultivates my attention, flow, and sense of self.

Anne K. Beyer

Anne received her BFA from Albion College in 2010, worked six years as a resident artist at Albion Anagama and returned to school to earn her MFA from Indiana University in 2019. In the spring of 2024, she finished building a 100 cubic foot wood kiln at her private studio with her partner Wyatt Severs in New Concord, Kentucky. She has taught at universities, community college, craft schools, kids camps and community art centers.

Contact: annebeyerwoodfire@gmail.com