I took up pottery in late 2014 and learned the craft from Julian Centofanti and the wonderful team at Carlton Arts Centre. The mindful act of creating something from nothing makes pottery one of those things that has captured my imagination fully. Combined with my enthusiasm for plants and colour, my ceramics offers an insight into what I love about the world.
I spent a lot of my life studying and I have has degrees in biomedicine, journalism and international development; but despite years of study I actually feel most comfortable when on a pottery wheel.
For the first couple of years of being a full time potter, I worked out of a studio at my Dad’s hobby farm on Wadawurrung country. From my wheel I could see into the garden where the chooks and turkeys wander and I could watch our llamas and cows in the paddock. Since then I have moved to a different small country town, also on Wadawurrung country, and have converted an old shed into a studio. From it I can see my veggie patch, and get regular interruptions from my wonderful chooks. And Reggie, my beloved studio pup is always by my side. And most recently I have moved to the Dhudhuroa country and look forward to seeing how the mountains affect and inspire my work.
Since March 2016 I have been a full time potter and have learned a great deal about ceramics, running a small business and myself. Clay has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams, for that I am grateful and work hard to pass that forward in my work. Currently I do this by donating $10 from every purchase to different organisations that work with Indigenous Australians.
https://www.claybytina.com/