The blog that Middlesex Community College and the Lowell National Historical Park maintain to document what is called "Yary's Kiln", calls Yary Livan a master ceramist, an "expert in Cambodian traditional pottery" who "embodies the tradition with artistry and excellence". He also just happens to have a studio across the hall from mine at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, Massachusetts. He has been written about many times, most recently I think in the Boston Globe. That doesn't stop me. I asked him if I could photograph him in his studio. He continued to work quietly while I fussed with lighting gear. When I asked him if he would come into my studio, which I had, of course, set up for him, to have some shots, he was more concerned about tracking clay into my studio. I thought, "that's what I bought the broom for!" Let's do it!
Check out his work:
http://community.middlesex.mass.edu/blogs/cambodiankiln/default.aspx
http://www.massfolkarts.org/object_detail.asp?ObjectID=8140023
http://www.nps.gov/lowe/parknews/cambodian-wood-fire-kiln-with-master-ceramicist-yary-livan.htm
