Martin Goerg

Curriculum Vitae

Born in 1962 in Montabaur in the Westerwald region, I have lived and worked for many years in Höhr‑Grenzhausen, where I have my workshop.
After completing an apprenticeship at Pottery Balzar‑Kopp from 1980 to 1983, I continued my education at the School for Ceramic Design in Höhr‑Grenzhausen between 1985 and 1988, followed by work in several different studios.
Since 1990 I have run my own workshop, and since 1992 I have been a member of the Keramikgruppe Grenzhausen.

Over the years, my work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Prize for Applied Arts of Rheinland‑Pfalz in 1989, several international prizes for salt‑fired ceramics in the 1990s, the Merit Award of the Sidney Myer Fund in Australia in 1997, and distinctions at the European Ceramics competition in Höhr‑Grenzhausen in 1999 and 2004.
In 2007 I also took part in the FuLe International Ceramic Art Museum Project in Fuping, China.

Inspiration

I am basically a very nature-loving person, I need the constant reference to the outside world. I’ve been out a lot in the mountains. Here the experience of nature and then also the inspiration for my work is very intensive.
In addition to the great formations, I am also fascinated by the details: how are the surfaces created? What happens during the processes of weathering?
And I take that as an inspiration for my ceramic work, both formally and in the surfaces?

But also the way of working has a lot to do with the movement in the mountains: many steps allow the work to develop slowly, continuously.

The firing-method of Salt-firing is a very old traditional method in my region. For me it is wonderful to adapt this and to transform it in my own way to my work.
So I get these lively surfaces, characterized by salt-fumes and the flames.

Technique

I work with the local -Westerwald- Clay-bodies.
The Objects are coiled up, slowly, step by step and the shape is altered with selfmade paddle-tools.
The surface develops with several layers of different clays, porcellain and slips. Sometimes I add melting materials as local Basalt or others.

Setting my kiln is an important step, as I have to bear in mindhow the flames together with the salt-fumes reach the pieces.
I fire in reduced atmosphere at about 1240°C.