Justin Lambert - Wood Fire Potter from Florida

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Once again, I'm thrilled to add a few wood fired ceramics pots from Florida's 

master potter Justin Lambert to my modest (in numbers) wood fire pot collection. 

They are a set of four unglazed pasta plates that are totally unique, being 

affected by fire and draft in his anagama kiln over several days, after having 

been skilfully thrown by Justin. The other wood fired pots I have by Justin are 

shown at the end of the plate photos.

Justin Lambert 

(http://www.liveoakpottery.com/Live_Oak_Pottery/Blog/Blog.html):

"These plates were fired for 3 days in my anagama kiln to Cone 10, 2400 F, left 

bare to interact with the flame and ash. Cooled in reduction to 1600 F.

An interest in objects that serve a specific purpose motivates me to make 

functional pottery.  I am also interested in how pottery can inherently initiate a 

certain situation with a single user and companion.  It is through the grouping of 

particular pots that I am able to suggest a special moment to occur.

It is the interaction of my pots that lead to certain scenarios alluding to the ideas 

of companionship and solitude.  The way that I present my work suggests that 

some pots need a companion and others need to stand-alone.  Some pieces are 

presented in pairs leading to the idea of lifelong relationship, without one of the 

pieces, the piece will not serve it’s intended purpose, and may visually look 

incomplete.  Groupings of bottles or cups are about inviting myself, and the 

viewer to slow down and take notice of the subtle diversities in form and the 

infinite variety of surface texture and color attainable through wood and soda 

firing.

My investigation into high alumina clay bodies in both wood and soda firing leads 

my research.  I reduction cool these kilns to achieve deeper colors, and to 

explore a palette relatively un-explored by our ceramics community.  Frosty, dry, 

movement rich glazed surfaces provide information for future work, and my 

careful analysis of surface to form integration provide insight to new formula’s 

and firing schedules.

My work is influenced by pottery from all cultures, but more specifically Southeast 

Asia, including Oceania, and Africa.  I feel these cultures primary concern when 

making pottery was its’ function.  Form simply followed function and some of the 

most amazing pottery in the world was made.  Their honesty, simplicity, 

necessity, and beauty are the qualities I strive for in my own work."

Justin Lambert began his ceramic career at Florida Atlantic University under the 

instruction of John McCoy. After receiving his BFA in Fine Arts, Ceramics in 1999 

from Florida Atlantic University, he spent a year doing post baccalaureate work at 

San Diego State University with Richard Burkett. In 2000 Justin accepted a 

scholarship and entrance to Indiana University as a Master of Fine Arts candidate 

under the instruction of John Goodheart, Tim Mather, Crystal Boger, and Malcolm 

Mobutu Smith. Upon completing his MFA in 2003, he purchased a property in 

Jupiter Farms, FL where he maintains a home, gallery, and studio equipped with 

an oil drip soda kiln, and an anagama wood burning kiln. His work is shown in 

international personal collections, juried shows, galleries, and art shows. In 2008, 

a 4 page article was published in Ceramics Monthly about Justin’s work, and kiln 

building techniques. In 2011 Justin gave a Lecture entitled “Cooling Down” at the 

NCECA Conference in Tampa, FL.  (Bio from AKAR website: 

http://www.akardesign.com/creators/moreinfo.asp?iCreatorID=738).

The rest of my wood fired Lambert pieces: a trivet, an oil bottle and a pair of 

ewers: