Howard Wilder – Sculpture – Raku

Howard Wilder has been a ceramic artist for over 35 years, with the last 15 devoted to Raku pottery only. His work has evolved thru the years due to the influence of his prior career as a highly acclaimed retinal eye surgeon. The precision instilled in him as a surgeon has enabled him to create elegant, classic designs with a southwest flair in his Raku.

Through the years his admiration for native American Indian pottery has led him to numerous trips to the Santa Clara and San Ildenfonso Pueblo in New Mexico. He had the opportunity to observe and work with several of their well known potters, studying their techniques in forming, carving and firing. Their shapes, designs, burnishing have been past down from generation to generation, and are an important part of these amazing artists and are evident in Howard Wilder’s Raku pieces today.

“The end result is that I spend more time on each piece because I enjoy the detail of design and glazing to create one of a kind Raku vessel.” The word Raku means contentment, happiness, satisfaction. “If this what is felt by the owner of one of my pieces – then I have produced a successful Raku vessel.”



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