The Marks Project - A Marks Dictionary of American Studio Pottery, 1946 to Present

Amber Aguirre

EDUCATION

1981 BA Ceramics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

1987 Teaching Credential, Fine Arts, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California

1990 MA Art Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California

1996 MILS and Teaching Credential in Library Info. Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, California

APPRENTICESHIPS AND RESIDENCIES

2010 Kiln God Award, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, Newcastle, Maine

2011 International Ceramics Studio, Keskemet, Hungary

2013 NCECA / Benyamini Contemporary Ceramics Center (BCCC), Tel Aviv, Israel

2015 Penland School of Crafts, Penland, North Carolina

BIOGRAPHY

Amber Aguirre is known for ceramic sculptures presenting anthropomorphic animal and human narrative mythology that refer to art historical references, current events and popular culture.

After experimenting with the low-fire technique, naked raku, Aguirre developed her own high-firing technique,“Naked Fauxku." Naked Fauxku uses no glaze and is high fired in an electric kiln. The technique allows the clay to vitrify, increasing the strength, while maintaining many of the visual characteristics of traditional naked raku firing.

Aguirre further expresses her narrative through a deliberate and highly selected use of glossy and matt colored glazes.

Public Collections

Benyamini Contemporary Ceramics Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Kellogg Art Gallery, California Polytechnic University, Pomona, California

Santorini Biennale, Santorini, Greece

Bibliography

Amber Aguirre. Davis, California: John Natsoulas Press, 2012.

“Naked Fauxku.” Pottery Making Illustrated. (January/February 2012).

Naked Raku and Related Bare Clay Techniques. Westerville, Ohio: American Ceramic Society: 2012.

Website: www.amberaguirre.com