The flamers
4 ladies from Upper Austria
Currently, only four ladies from Upper Austria still practice the traditional craftsmanship “flaming of pottery” in the Gmundner ceramics factory in Gmunden. Here, they introduce themselves and tell us about their day-to-day work:
Sterndi
Hi, I’m Sterndi from Scharnstein and started work at Gmundner Keramik in 1987.
WHAT I LIKE FLAMING THE MOST
I really like flaming everything, because to me flaming is simply fun. We used to be many flamers here, but today there are only four of us left. So you can see how important flaming and this technique is today.
Why I became a flamer
A friend introduced me to Gmundner Keramik, raving about how much she liked her job. And that impressed me so much that I absolutely wanted to start work here, too. So I applied on a wing and a prayer and I got a job and also got to start right away. After a few years, I even got to learn the skilled trade of “ceramicist”. This allowed me to explore many different areas of work. But flaming was and is my favourite task.
Since the UNESCO listing
many people have approached me to ask about my work. I think that’s great and I feel honoured!
Claudia
Hello, I’m Claudia from Altlenzing and I’ve been working at Gmundner Keramik since 12/10/1995.
WHAT I LIKE FLAMING THE MOST
I like flaming everything. I just enjoy it and it’s so much fun! I’ve found my dream job in flaming, which I would love to keep on practising here until I retire.
Why I became a flamer
It was a coincidence, really. I’m a qualified hairdresser and was looking for a new challenge at the time. My neighbour, who worked at Gmundner Keramik, told me that they were looking for flamers and asked me why not just give it a go. It appealed to me right away, and I got the job and was trained. At first, I helped out with glazing and touching up and it wasn’t long until I got to start flaming. And as chance would have it, that was exactly the right decision for me!
Since the UNESCO listing
I have a really great feeling and am thrilled that my daily work is recognised in this way!
Sabrina
Hello, my name is Sabrina, I come from Grünau and started at Gmundner Keramik in 1999 as a ceramics painter.
WHAT I LIKE FLAMING THE MOST
I like flaming everything, really. Flaming is simply something really special! And many people don’t know that it’s piped on. They think we paint it on with a brush. Then I always explain to them that I was taught this using a so-called “fluid writer pen” and that not long ago, the flaming station as we know it today did not exist.
Why I became a flamer
I always liked painting as a little girl and took my drawing pad everywhere I went, and also put a date on my drawings. As it happened, Gmundner Keramik was looking for pottery painters back then and I applied for an apprenticeship and painted for my acceptance test.
Then I flamed for a few years and only moved to the paint shop in 2012, simply because more pottery painters were needed. Today I still help out occasionally and enjoy the change between painting and flaming.
Since the UNESCO listing
…I immediately told all my friends and was delighted that my work is in such high esteem and that now everyone knows what it really takes!
Karin
Hello, my name is Karin and I’m from Laakirchen. I joined Gmundner Keramik in 1993 learning how to paint pottery.
WHAT I LIKE FLAMING THE MOST
I also like flaming green and multicolour flamed. But there’s really no décor you don’t like doing. Flaming is just flaming, and that’s why it’s something special.
Why I became a flamer
It was really my godmother Godi who suggested I might want to give painting pottery ago. I had always painted a lot and really enjoyed it, and my Godi thought this might be the perfect job for me. So I applied and got accepted. During my apprenticeship I also got to learn flaming.
Since the UNESCO listing
I’m very proud that my daily work is part of the intangible cultural heritage.