John Mackenzie

John completed his degree in ceramics at Harrow University in 2001 where he studied under Kyra Cane, Christie Brown, Mo Jupp and Steve Buck. During his studies John developed a passion for wood firing ceramics and kiln building.  John has since built a number of wood fired kilns and has been exploring the unique colours, surfaces and effects which can be only be achieved when working with this process.

Recently, John has built a new 140 cubic foot anagama kiln which is fired with offcuts of wood from a local saw mill.  The kiln is fired for over 50 hours and needs constant attention to build the temperate to above 1300 degrees centigrade, where the ash from the wood melts to form a glaze. John aims to explore and accentuate the protracted and extreme firing process by developing his own clays, glazes and slips which respond to the flame, ember and ash. Born and raised in Cornwall, John has always had a close affinity to the sea and rugged Cornish coastline of West Penwith. John includes locally found materials to further develop deeps surface effects, texture and colour. John aims to make work which communicates the elemental processes that they have been through.