Artist Spotlight: Steven Branfman

Steven Branfman is a raku master. Branfman started working with clay in 1971 while in college at Cortland State University. Branfman's least favorite part of clay is glazing while his favorite is throwing. Branfman also is the founder of The Potter's Shop in 1977. This was a studio that was a workspace for clay workers. Most people that view Branfman s work do not believe it is raku because of the textures and the shape. The textures and shape of his artwork is what makes his work so unique. Branfman makes vessels where instead of thinking of the clay as a blank canvas, he thinks of it as a skin with a pressence and volume. When going to his work area, Branfman always nows what he wants to make and how it is going to look. Branfman see's his work as a journey and that is what drives him to continue on with making raku technique pieces. Below are two of Branfman's raku pieces.