Esprit Bonsai International – August 2019

#101 EspritBonsaiInternational - 71

To contact him

Jean-Philippe Koenig

E-mail:

[email protected]

Website:

http://www.ceramique-koenig.com

Facebook:

Ceramique Jean-Philippe Koenig

to900°C(1650°F)overthelastfivehours.
I useagaskilnthatI builtmyself.It’svery
wellinsulated,whichallowsmetosave
about30%ofenergycomparedtoa con-
ventionalkiln.

E.B.I.:Wheredoyoufindinspirationto
createyourpots?
J.-P.K.:I haveshelvesfilledwithbookson
Japaneseceramics–I’mabigfanofJap-
aneseteabowls– andI gotoseeasmany
bonsaiexhibitionsaspossible.I alsodraw
inspirationfromoldkind-of-rusticChinese
ceramics. And I discuss with potters from
all over the world – we like to share our
discoveries and our firing techniques.

E.B.I.: Bonsai ceramics is ruled by very

ancient traditions: how do you respect

them while remaining creative?

J.-P.K.: I feel close to Japanese traditions,

I’m very touched by their art. We must

respect this tradition and the basic rules. It

just takes a tiny special touch to innovate,

to change a pot and give it some person-

ality. The details make all the difference.

Unlike the Japanese, I try not to be too per-

fect ... Imperfection also gives character. �

Blackandturquoiseashglazes.Dimensions:
30.5× 22× 7cm(12× 8⅝× 2¾in.).

Shohinpotwithwhiteandbronzeshinoglaze.

Dimensions: 12 × 10× 3cm(4¾× 4× 1⅛in.)

This round pot displaysaninterplayoftexturesandcolours,
its silky blue-greentonesachievedusingashglazeswith
oxides. Dimensions: 22 × 20.5× 9.7cm (8⅝× 8⅛× 3¾in.).

Teabowlwithsilky-matt

ashglaze.Dimensions:

10.5× 5.5cm

(4⅛× 2⅛in.).

Stoneware tea bowlwithbronzeandredash

glazes. Dimensions: 10.5× 7cm(4⅛× 2¾in.).