Q: What initially drew you to pottery, and how has your artistic journey evolved since then?
‘I kind of landed into it. I tried pottery for the first time during my first year at art school in 2018 and I had such a hoot of a time I wanted to give it a proper go! Especially since I went into study thinking I'd major in printmaking - luckily the National Art School makes you do a crash course in every discipline before you decide what to pick.
Pottery is brilliant fun and I'm glad to be doing it. I'm lucky enough to be on an artist residency now because of where my interest in ceramics has taken me.’
Q: Each piece of ceramic work can carry its own story or meaning. Are there any recurring themes or messages you aim to convey through your creations?
‘The illustrations in my works borrow a lot from pop culture. I try and have fun and paint the things that I love and grew up watching on tv. Big robots, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Chinese bandit outlaws. All very groovy, all very cool style!’
Q: Around a year ago we saw you delve into wearable art, is this the path that you are still continuing to explore? And if so, have there been new projects that you can share with us?
‘I make ceramic badges for fun and whenever the mood takes me I’ll paint on the blank badges I have lying around the studio. They make for a cute present for friends and family when I can remember to make them in time for special occasions.’
Q. What’s inspiring you at the moment?
‘I’m on an art residency right now in Paris and I’m drawing a lot of inspiration from the European style of ceramics. Particularly Delftware and Meissen Porcelain. It’s all stuff that’s informed by the long history of the craft and owes a lot of its influence from historical examples from China, Iran and Japan etc.’
Q. As you create works that’s different from conventional pottery and ceramics, what are your thoughts on the future of pottery as an art form?
‘I don’t think my style is very different from conventional ceramics. My process is mostly the same as how they would have done it in the past, just tweaked with some goofy ass illustrations. I love looking back at historical examples and I have so much respect for the artists and craftsmen that have left behind so much for us to appreciate. There’s a lot of exciting things happening in ceramics and there’s more of us than ever.
Some awesome artists to check out are some of my friends Ben King, Ryan Hancock, Takumi Hirayama. Also look up Magdalena and Michael Frimkess who are a messive influence for me.’
