Ken Turner

kturnerb175.myportfolio.com
@KenTurnerPottery

In recognition of Ken Turner and his remarkable journey in the world of ceramics, his commitment to sharing his profound passion, and his unwavering pursuit of ceramic knowledge, we take great pride in bestowing his name upon our recently updated glaze lab. The lab now boasts a dedicated glaze materials table supplied by Ken. It features a row of easily accessible drawers for dry glaze materials. Rat City Studios also received a raku kiln from Ken that has become a well-loved feature of the studio that draws students far and wide to participate in community firings. The Ken Turner Glaze Lab at Rain City Clay will serve as a central hub for ongoing research and learning, playing a pivotal role in nurturing our community studio's creative endeavors and explorations.

Ken Turner's fascination with clay began as a child when he spent countless hours carving faces and shaping forms in the clay-laden cliffs in the ravines above Lake Sammamish. He was enchanted by its earthy smell and its ability to take any shape between his fingers. This connection with clay would set the stage for a lifelong journey.

Ken's connection to clay deepened during high school when he encountered skilled potter Regnor Reinholdtsen. Watching pots emerge from the wheel and from the kilns as something entirely new, left a lasting impression. The combination of clay's cool malleability and fire's hot, transformative capabilities became the driving force behind his lifelong passion for ceramics.

On October 28th, Ken engaged in an insightful interview with RCC staff member Hayley and delved into his remarkable journey with clay and his successful career. They discussed the pivotal moments that shaped his artistic path, his inspirations, and the passion that fueled his creative endeavors. Ken shared valuable advice for aspiring artists on a similar journey, emphasizing the importance of persistence, self-belief, and the continuous pursuit of one's artistic vision. The conversation offered a glimpse into Ken's inspiring story and his commitment to the world of ceramics.

Ken’s artistic exploration has taken him through a vast spectrum of ceramic materials and methods, from digging clay out of the ground to working with fine porcelain, and from pit firing to computer-controlled high fire techniques. Each new discovery expanded his artistic expression, with his work continually evolving.

When questioned about his artistic style and the diverse array of techniques he has embraced over the years, as well as his ventures into both pottery and sculpture, Ken shared the following perspective: “I always enjoyed branching out. I'm not the potter that can make the same pot over and over again for the rest of my life. I have to see growth in my work. And if I don't see change happening, then I just don't feel like I'm growing as an artist.”

Ken's artwork is also deeply influenced by his life experiences and represents a tangible expression of a shared human connection. Recurring themes in his work tell a story of his journey. “Everything that we produce, what we make reflects who we are to some degree, one way or another. You wouldn't make it otherwise.”

Ken honed his skills and immersed himself in ceramics through diverse avenues. He pursued education at Peninsula Community College, apprenticed under a Seattle potter/designer/craftsman, attended countless workshops, and furthered his studies at the Kansas City Art Institute. These invaluable experiences played a pivotal role in shaping the direction he would continue to follow.

“Working at Peninsula Community College gave me a really good foundation for materials. That was a very important time in my life. I was able to make clay bodies and glazes and I learned a lot about how each material reacts and melts just the way it does. During this time I also read Daniel Rhodes’ “Clay and Glazes for the Potter”. I read it over and over and over. My experience at the college and reading that book set me up with a strong foundation of skills.

I also took many workshops at Pottery Northwest and that was really important, to be able to see how the big stars of ceramics worked. To listen to their philosophies. I was still really young and a lot of it kinda went over my head. But then as time went on, I’d come across a problem and wonder, how am I going to approach this? And then, bang, the solution would present itself. Those lessons that were tucked away would resurface. When I needed it, it was there. There were so many things that helped shape my path, so many people have given me so much.”

Ken's artistic journey transcended traditional boundaries. While rooted in functional pottery, his work evolved into purely artistic, decorative forms. His hand-built sculptures allowed him to explore beyond the constraints of wheel-thrown forms, experimenting with alternative firing techniques that responded directly to atmospheric forces, creating dramatic and unpredictable surfaces.

Throughout his career, Ken has had the opportunity to learn from exceptional teachers, and teaching has been a gift in his life.
"The opportunity to share my passion for ceramics with others interested in learning is greatly rewarding and challenging.” Teaching ceramics offered him a chance to connect with others, an experience he cherished, especially after spending long hours in his studio. The exchange of knowledge was a two-way street, with his students often pushing him to think deeply about his own craft.

”I really enjoyed teaching for a variety of reasons. I had always worked alone in my studio and I didn't have that social unit. I didn't always have that socialization, so working in community studios, and being around other potters, and students was really nice. All the students I have had have just been wonderful people. Teaching them taught me so much. Somebody would ask me how to do something and I would go back to my studio and I would really work on it and work through how to put it into words. I just do it instinctively. When teaching I really had to slow down, think about what I was doing, and then try to be able to verbalize it in a way that makes sense to others. Teaching has also made me proud to see the people that I’ve helped along the way, grow. It’s been incredibly rewarding to be able to see people moving on, and taking the next step. And that's just the ceramic end of it. There's so much more in terms of how I've helped people through clay, through difficulties in their lives.”

Ken with his students at DigiPen Institute of Technology in Redmond, WA.

For aspiring ceramic artists, Ken offers sage advice: "Make the work that makes you happy. Regardless of how others feel about it. If you truly love what you're doing, don't stop. Just follow where it takes you. Clay connects, through making, sharing, and experiencing it together. Share your work with others… I remember the very first Voulkos workshop I took. He said, wherever you can show your work, whenever you can show, just do it. Doesn't matter if it's a church bizarre or what, just get your work out there because you never know who's gonna see it. And I took that to heart.”

When asked what advice Ken would give his younger self when he was just beginning his career with clay, Ken emphasized the importance of wholehearted dedication. “I would say, just go for it. I look back to those times and you know, I just worked, worked, worked. That's all I did. I loved it so much. That's all I wanted to do. You have to have passion. You just simply have to have passion. You may look back on it some days and wish you would’ve done this or that, but honestly, I'm at the end of my life and I look back, and I don't think I would’ve done anything differently.”

Surrounded by his wife Laura and close family, Kenneth Dean Turner, aged 67, passed away November 7, 2023, after a ten-year battle with cancer. You can read more about Ken’s life, read stories, and post messages on his online memorial page.

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Ken Turner