K U R I N U K I
​B A S K E T
​Contemporary Unglazed

PRESTON TOLBERT
TOLBERT CERAMICS
North Carolina, USA
​2025

10 x 16 x 4 inches
Wild Clay, Steel Ferrule, Brass Rod, Copper Wire
Kurinuki and Pinching
​Fired to Cone 10 (2350ºF)

"This pot was made with clay that I dug and processed. It was fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. The piece disassembles for transport. The intent is for the hanging basket to reside alone on the bonsai bench to grow the planting/tree.

For presentation, the base and arm are connected and the basket hung at the end. This allows the copper wire on the basket to patina, contrasting with the bright brass arm. When assembled, the wire arm allows the basket to subtly move, utilizing a kinetic component, not common in bonsai.

This piece is about contrast: the stain emphasizes the texture, the smooth black ferrule contrasts the bright brass, and the tarnished copper wire add another layer."

​- Preston Tolbert

A B O U T   P R E S T O N   T O L B E R T

​Preston Tolbert is a full time artist working in Statesville, NC.  He studied ceramics at Western Carolina University under Professor Joan Byrd.  While at WCU he met his wife Sara Tolbert, also a potter. There he also began making bonsai pots and collecting trees with the guidance of Robert Wallace. After graduation in 2007, Sara and Preston moved to Clarkdale, Arizona to be assistants to ceramic sculptor Don Reitz.

After moving back to North Carolina in 2010, they built a small wood soda kiln and opened a pottery shop in Old Fort. In 2014, Preston enrolled in grad school at The University of Mississippi with Matt Long. After graduation, he and Sara once again moved back to North Carolina, this time to Statesville, where they currently operate Warehouse Arts, a facility for workshops, artist residency, and ceramics equipment manufacturing. Preston also teaches Ceramics at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC.

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Follow Preston Tolbert on these platforms:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/preston.tolbert/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/preston.tolbert.1
Website: tolbertceramics.com/
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T H A N K   Y O U   T O   O U R   S P O N S O R S

D I S C O V E R   P O T T E R S   I S   P R O U D   T O   S P O N S O R   T H E   2 0 2 5   N O R T H   A M E R I C A N   B O N S A I   P O T T E R Y   C O M P E T I T I O N

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