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Brenton Duhan | Episode 1069
Brenton Duhan grew up between North Carolina and Kandern, Germany–home to two distinct and rich pottery traditions. Brenton studied at Brown University and RISD in Providence, practiced museum exhibit design in DC, and gave tours and made ceramics in New Orleans before moving to New Haven, Connecticut. Brenton is currently maintaining a ceramic practice while studying architecture at Yale University.
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How important is predesigning in making a successful piece?
I would say almost everything I make has been sketched out beforehand. In some way that is the architect in me. So I always start with a sketchbook and that moves into either a paper mock up or an actually clay mock up. And then the final piece eventually.
How would you define a successful piece?
I think a successful piece is a piece that someone wants to live with, wants to have in their lives, and maybe also wants to pass down to someone else in their life after they are gone.
Are there elements to design that are critical to a good piece?
I would say obviously the most important thing is that it functions well, but that function can be determined by you. Maybe it’s a silly function or for me I love making lamps and all you have to do is make sure it lights up. Or with a candle holder, make sure it holds a candle.
Do you welcome critiques on your work?
Yeah, I honestly wish I had a forum or a place where I could get more constructive feedback, I would say. In a style, like an architectural pin up like I get in school because Instagram is not the same, you know. People are very friendly and nice the majority of the time but also they are not able to give you the dedicated time to talk about your piece for thirty minutes. And I think that is really important when you are trying to improve what you are working on.
How has your architectural studies influenced your making?
I think right now my time is spent in architecture so much of the time that when I actually get to the studio I have to be productive. So it’s made me way more productive and I made a lot more designs because of it. So I think it’s a matter of the design process that I learned through architecture and I am excited to make something quickly because buildings take a long time to design and ultimately construct.
Your handles fit your work so well. Do you pull your handles or form your handles?
I love this question. I do both. I start by forming them from a lug of clay that I pinch mostly to get the taper that I like and then It’s a quick dunk in water and a few pulls just to make sure I smooth it out so it feels nice in the hand. And that gets attached to the body of the mug and once it’s attached I further shape it, I dip my finger in the water and shape it with my finger.
Book
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Poems by Mary Oliver
Contact
Instagram: @studiobdu