In the North of the county Friesland, near the border between land and Waddenzee, you will find the Slingerhaan Ateliers of Her Comis and Paulien Ploeger. There on the Oude Bildtdijk, a former sea dike above the village St. Jacobiparochie, they produce unglazed garden- and bird-pots in red earthenware, they create saltglazed stoneware for daily use and special pieces. All this work is created on the potters wheel in their own design.
Her and Paulien are coöperating since 1981 and have investigated their names in the international ceramic scene. Both have realized exhibitions of their work in the Netherlands and abroad.
They throw their pots for daily use, which prove to be very special at a closer look; by the direct contact with the clay the personal vision of the maker is directly translated into the material.
Oven dishes, martavanen, bowls and cups are mostly executed in stoneware. They also use porcelain from Limoges.
Saltglazing is an exacting technique, but giving results that are very worthwhile by the unique character. In the kiln, at a temperature of 1280 °C, the clay vitrifies by inserting salt into the kiln during the firing.It gives the work a clear radiance and makes it very attractive.
Paulien Ploeger participated in our gallery in 1998, 1999 en 2013. In 2007 she and Her Comis had a duo exhibition, celebrating the 25 year jubilee of their Slingerhaan ateliers.