Ed Risak

1950Born Park Forest, Illinois

2017Died Marquette, Michigan

EDUCATION

—BFA, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

—MA Education, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1974-2015Studio Potter, Marquette, Michigan

2005-2015Assistant Professor of Art, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan

 

Ed Risak is known for raku-fired vessels that combined wheel thrown components and hand-built slab components. Surface techniques included raku variations and a sprayed-on metallic matte glaze.

Risak’s work is known for the iridescent colors created with this sprayed-on metallic matte glaze.

Risak collaborated with his wife, Julie Risak, to make the work.

 A video of Ed discussing his work in his studio can be found here:  vimeo.com/10065544.

Public Collections

Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, Michigan

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Renwick Gallery, Washington, DC

Bibliography

Forster, Matt. Backroads and Byways of Michigan, 3^rd ed. Woodstock VT: The CountryMan Press, 2018.

 Poulton, Irene. Fired Up with Raku. Marllborough, UK: The Crowood Press, 2013.

 Schiffer, Unjeria. Teapots by Design: A Collectors’ Catalogue. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2006.

 

 

 

Southern Highland Craft Guild