Wood fired work.
Ilona Golovina’s wood-fired collection was created in her Brooklyn studio and fired in a traditional Anagama wood kiln upstate New York for 72 hours. Each piece carries the marks of its journey through fire and ash. The long firing process allows flames, wood ash, and atmospheric conditions to interact with the clay, resulting in one-of-a-kind surfaces with natural textures, earthy tones, and organic variations. These works embody the raw, transformative energy of wood firing, celebrating both tradition and the serendipity of the kiln’s alchemy.

Ilona Golovina’s artistic practice explores the interplay between nature, materiality, and tradition through ceramics. Rooted in ancient techniques and inspired by the tactile intimacy of working with clay, her work transforms hand-built vessels into metaphorical containers for thoughts and ideas, moving beyond utility. Incorporating foraged wild clay and recycled materials like glass and metal, she promotes mindfulness around consumption while introducing unexpected aesthetics that challenge traditional notions of the medium. Influenced by John Cage’s philosophy of non-intention, her experimental methods capture the essence of specific environments, blending control with serendipity. Her vessels merge time-honored practices with contemporary innovation, emerging as unique reflections of the dynamic relationship between past, present, and future.