Most of my work at present is functional, a process I deemed to be essential to my development, enabling me to work out forms, patterns and shapes in my sub-conscious, and to develop glazes and firing techniques that will work in harmony with my thoughts.
I am, however gradually moving on to less practical ceramics - developing some sculptural installation pieces and wall pieces that reflect my explorations of the past two years.
My philosophy, whatever I am making, is to make things with minimal outside help - that is to use my man-power wherever possible. I use a kick wheel (powered by myself) I mix my own glazes, and I fire in a wood-fired catenery arch kiln (which I built myself), using wood from our property.
Wood is stoked into the kiln for about 32 hours, bringing the temperature up to over 1300°c. The ash and flame from the burning wood kisses the clay, giving each piece an individual finish and sometimes making its own glaze - with flashes of colour and texture.
I enjoy making functional ceramics as I get so much pleasure from using them in my daily life. Eating or drinking from a work of art gives everyday actions a different perspective. For some, using my functional ceramics is not always an easy decision, as we are used to the factory made products that are made to be perfect - each one a clone of the next, perfectly matching and sterile. Although I make sets of things, each one has its own identity and characteristics - like people.
But I also crave to make the unusual - artworks that exist just for the sake of themselves. I am currently working on a series of sculptural installations, for both indoor and outdoor.
Something to catch the light, the shadow, the eye.
The marks I make on my ceramic pieces are a response to the shapes made by light and shadow in nature - especially the extremes of early morning and late evening. There is also a certain design element, due to my past life in advertising and marketing.
My studio is 10 minutes north of Warragul, near Rokeby, and is open by appointment (I am working there most of the time so visitors are welcome).
You can view work at:
Latrobe Regional Gallery, Morwell
Town and Country Gallery, Yarragon
Pink Fly, Yarragon
Lillico Glass, Lillico (near Warragul)
Sue Acheson
0407 805278