Trudie Kroef

Artist Profile

Artist Profile

Trudie Kroef graduated from Unitec School of Design in 1998 with a Bachelor of Design. Since then she has been working for herself, within the field of craft and design. Presently Trudie is working with the materials of porcelain and glass.

These two particular materials are incorporated into one piece. By doing this, a play of light is created within the object. The glass offers a 'window' for the viewer, and also allows more light to be absorbed through the porcelain body. However, the method of construction is very time consuming. The first step is for the porcelain components to be thrown, then altered accordingly. The piece is then bisque fired, then fired to 1300°C in either a reduction or oxidation kiln depending on the glaze. At this stage the porcelain piece is complete, and ready for the glass piece to be made.

The glass components are made by a method of lost wax casting. This is similar to that used for casting aluminium and bronze. Initially, you make a wax form of what you want the final shape to be. This then has skewers attached and is covered in a plaster/ silica mix. This forms a hard outer mould around the wax, which is then steamed out. This creates space in the mould for the glass to form. After the firing, of glass it requires lengthy finishing with diamond tools.

Glass and porcelain cannot be fired together to fuse and form one object because of entirely different shrinkage and melting points.

Trudie Kroef strives to create work that is simple and peaceful, yet elegant.