Wayne Ngan Hakeme

Hakeme means "brush stroke" in Japanese but it is a technique that was first developed in Korea as a means of adhering white slip to a clay body.

It is the technique of applying a coat of slip with a hard bristled brush to a piece of pottery. Brushes can be made from a variety of materials such as broom corn or rice straw. Such extra thick bristles apply the decorative slip in a more harsh finish.

​According to Doris Shadboldt, the curator of Mr. Ngan's solo exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery in 1979, he first saw examples of hakeme in some old, well worn books he had on Korean and Japanese pottery. After some ten years of experimentation with kitchen brushes or bits of broom he was able to complete the technique to his own satisfaction.
This illustration will give one a basic understanding of hakeme decor. Thick glaze applied with a coarse brush so as to leave the brush trails visible once finished. This example was found on one of his footed slab trays. Circa 1970s.
Two views of the same tall bottle vase featuring one of the very best examples of Mr. Ngan's hakeme work. The dark underglaze reveals an oilspot technique with an apple ash glaze brushed overtop.
Early hakeme bottle in a very traditional form. The hakeme is left unadorned to emphasize the brush work and the "wabi sabi" aesthetic. 
On this tea bowl (chawan) the hakeme serves as a backdrop for some finishing overglaze brushwork decor.
Another variation of the technique shown above. This time with decorative brush strokes to finish.
Another version similar to the tea bowl shown above. This time in a spectacular tall vase featuring apple ash glazed hakeme.
On this carved plate the hakeme is intentionally very subtle. It was applied while the plate was on the wheel to achieve the perfect concentric rings.
Another example of subtle background hakeme, this time in a pale blue slip with subtle contract to the background colour underneath.