Other Projects
Not Nguyen
2020
Midfire, slip
At the time I was enjoying the immaculate porcelain vessels of the Nguyen dynasty on holiday in Hue, Vietnam, terrible bushfires blackened Australia.
(Image Michal Kluvanek)
Crows: Clearing out Mum's Goss Collection
2014
Porcelain and underglaze
After my mother’s stroke, I drove back and forth to the hospital in her home area during the deep Scottish winter. Daily I passed by bleak fields on which flocks of crows gathered against the white frost. At the same time, I began the sad task of clearing out her beloved keepsakes, one of which was her Goss collectibles gifted to her by my stepfather over many years.
Runner Up 29th Gold Coast Ceramic Award
(Image Michal Kluvanek)
Ghosts: Men in Uniform
2017
Porcelain and photographic decals
Following my mother’s death, I made a number of ceramic pieces about the sad and nostalgic experience of disposing of her personal collections of pots, trinkets and photographs which had been an integral part of her home. Unable to transport many of these to my home from Scotland to Australia, I made new pots as a tribute to her life and her precious belongings.
‘Ghosts: Men in Uniform’ came about out after I sorted through hundreds of photos, often faded and dog-eared, and realised that all the significant men in my Mum’s life had spent time in uniform.
Her father was a WW2 veteran, her brother and first husband were merchant seamen, her second husband a sailor in the Royal Navy and her son-in-law a member of the Royal Air Force; all but the last are now dead.
(Image Rob Little)
They Paved Paradise
2021
Midfire and body stain/terra sigillata
Newmarch Gallery, Prospect, Adelaide
(Images: Michal Kluvanek)
Fly Cup
2015
Porcelain and underglaze
Home Sweet Home Exhibition, Queanbeyan, NSW
Making work about my family history after the death of my mum, I used the Scottish traditional idioms and vernacular as themes. Fly cup was always a favourite (a cup of tea taken on the ‘fly’ may be out of a flask on a picnic or sitting in the car at the seaside). Flies also suggested death and decay at a sad time in my life.
Forky Tail
2014
Porcelain Underglaze
A Potted History, M16 Gallery, Canberra
Je ne Regrette Rien
2010
Raku Fired
I was greatly saddened by a news story about a farmer who callously cleared vast areas of wetland. I imagined a lone egret searching for its home - never to be found again.
Scorched Earth
2020
Midfire, black slip, terra sigillata
During the COVID lockdown, I made some large pots using the coil and thrown method - a slow and meditative way of working. The pieces were inspired by the bushfires at the end of 2019. Exhibited and sold in the Prospect Community Exhibition.
Four Weeks
2018
Midfire, glazed
Finalist North Queensland Ceramic Award
It takes a rise of just one degree Celsius for four weeks to trigger a coral bleaching event. Again in 2022, the reef faces the prospect of another serious bleaching.
Bleached
Midfire
2016
Canberra Potters Members Show
I made a group of pots about the bleaching of the Barrier Reef Corals using my go-to turquoise glaze and wax resist technique.
Mortal Kombat
During the filming of the movie Mortal Kombat, I was commissioned to make some pots to form part of the storyline. They needed a ‘Greek’ Urn onto which the art department would paint a design. I also made some Japanese inspired vessels, cups and candle holders and low fired stunt pots to be smashed during filming.
