I am incurably attracted to the ‘object’ and the ‘vessel’ – and that is what led me to clay initially.  I quickly became frustrated with the limitations imposed by function and technical considerations, so for a long time have used the language of the vessel as a sculptural object, with its myriad of associations, historical, archaeological and anthropomorphic.

I work very intuitively, taking inspiration from ethnic and naïve art, textiles, architecture and particularly landscape.

Since returning to live in NZ I am rediscovering this landscape, and the abstracted shapes of hills and horizon lines are a strong influence currently. This limits the palette to earthy natural tones. Organic abstraction implies some sort of collaboration between the maker and the earth. This is how it feels for me.

I work in other mediums, including painting and felting, and the same themes present themselves.

Felting involves experimenting with surfaces and texture, and the colours that come from dyeing with plants from my garden are the same natural ones that arise from the clay. The process is very simple and immediate, and the outcomes earthy and sensual.

I also create jewellery from pieces I collect on my travels in Asia; bold combinations of silver and semi precious stones that satisfy a long fascination with ethnic jewellery and objects.

I hope some of the intense enjoyment I feel in the making, shows through in the work.

B.F.A. University of Tasmania 1986

Artists