Steve Aitchison

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE 

1985-2005 Designer, Five Bridges Pottery, Tucson, Arizona 

1990-onward Potter

BIOGRAPHY 

Steve Aitchison is known for both wheel thrown and slip cast porcelain pottery. In the case of slip cast work, molds are made from forms produced on the wheel. A unique formula is used to produce a porcelain-based clay body which can be fired in both wood kilns and open chambered kilns using carbon-based fuels. The clay body is not typical pure whiteporcelain but tinted toward light brown.  Aitchison’s “Cloud Vessels” are wheel thrown and fired multiple times with carbon-based fuels in open kiln chambers.  This firing technique creates organic, cloud-like surfaces patterning. Pieces can be fired several times, sometimes combining wood firing and container firing.  Aitchison is also known for his “Spiral Galaxy Series” of wall platter installations. The platters are made of a high-fired conventional white porcelain clay body.  

Aitchison was strongly influenced by his middle school art teacher, Bob Anderson. Aitchison lives and works in Kelowna, Iowa.

"A Converstion with Steve Aitchison" can be accessed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fIBrEh2aaY