Manic Ceramic
Manic Ceramic
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I am a recently addicted amateur ceramic artist, based in Perth, Western Australia. I enjoy hand-building, with slabs, slab-coils and moulds, in preference to throwing on the wheel. My focus is on form and texture, more than colour, and on artistic sculptural forms rather than on functional ware.
My preferences for decoration are slips, washes and underglazes, and sometimes non-ceramic finishes post-firing. Full gloss glazes are less suitable for most of the subject material, particularly busts and caricatures
I commenced learning at a shared studio which only undertook single firings, to reduce our environmental impact and kiln wear. I have continued that approach and using low firing whether earthenware or stoneware. Most of my work is in various clays commercially available as paper clays. I use earthenware, terracotta, or stoneware clays, including grogged or raku clay bodies. I also use porcelaineous bodies for slip-casting and mid-fire porcelain for smaller figurative forms.
Artist Statement
Artist Statement
As a ceramic artist and sculptor, my work is a playful exploration of form, character, and the unexpected. Art is about illusion, perception, and communication. I hand-build busts, figures, and decorative pieces of everyday objects, with whimsical themes. For me, art is not about mass production or creating functional wheel-thrown objects; it’s about the joy of making something singular, something which invites a connection with the viewer.
I delight in crafting works that possess a distinct character, aiming to amuse or provoke thought in the viewer. I draw inspiration from the world around me. Something seen on TV or in daily life sparks a desire to translate the idea into a tangible form.
I enjoy the natural appearance of fired clay, leaving most of my figures unglazed to emphasize their natural texture, while using glazes selectively to highlight features such as eyes, lips, clothing, or accessories. This approach allows the material's inherent qualities to shine through, while still giving each piece a distinct, expressive presence.
My techniques include slabs, coils, slip-casting, and sculpting to create unique, one-of-a-kind works. To reduce my environmental impact, I practice single-firing to below 1100C, and recycle all unused clay. My primary sculptural medium is currently fine white stoneware paper clay, which offers both detail and structural integrity. I have been honing my craft for four years, working at my home studio in Melville, Farmer Street Studio in North Perth and Karlup Studio in Attadale, as well as completing units at North Metro TAFE in Central Perth.
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