Seitsemän Salmenhaaraa – Seven Salmenhaaras

Wall relief, 2024

Stoneware, red clay glazes

33 x 54 x 4 cm

In KWUM Studio Ceramics Museum & Gallery Collection

The work is a tribute to ceramic artist Kyllikki Salmenhaara (1915–1981) and her development of red clay glazes made from Finnish raw materials. Salmenhaara often used handcrafted stoneware and glazes featuring a natural, earthy color palette.

The piece incorporates shades of yellow selected from nearly 40 red clay glaze recipes. Seven different glazes have been used in the work, each with two variations: an original version and one modified with copper carbonate. In total, the work includes 14 different glazes. The color palette reflects subtle yellowish tones that highlight the versatile, natural, and surprisingly nuanced range of colors inherent in red clay.