Ceramics Portfolio

Gifts of the Sea

Gifts of the Sea is inspired by the Long Reef aquatic headland, a unique marine reserve on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Featuring shapes inspired by seaweed, kelp and worn tidal debris and rich colours based on the unusual volcanic claystone and eroded rock platform. Ten pieces of work from the Gifts of the Sea series featured in the “Resonance” Exhibition at Manly Art Gallery and Museum in 2022. Click below for more detail.

Handbuilt black porcelain and mixed clay sculptures, carved texture, custom glazes.

“Thredbo Granite”

“Thredbo Granite” is inspired by the monolith rocks that punctuate the Australian Snowy Mountains landscape. A series of over 30 glazes was developed for this work including dry, special effect and fluid glazes in a variety of colourings. Particular attention was given to replicating the natural colours and textures of rock, lichen and snow in an abstracted form.

Textured slab construction with layered slips, glaze interaction and additions.

Snowy Mountains Vases

Slab built vases hand-painted with landscapes of the Snowy Mountains Australia. Ceramic pigments are mixed with liquid clay to produce a range of blue and grey tones that are painted on the leather-hard clay.

White Raku, custom coloured slips, mishima inlay, sgraffito. Height 13cm - 24cm

Atmospheric Firing

Atmospheric firing using organic materials, copper oxide and copper wire in a ceramic saggar.

Saggar fired rings using double wall wheel throwing technique with white terra sigillata applied.

Saggar fired forms handbuilt using coil or slump mould. White Raku and terra sigillata

Long Reef Landscape Vessels

Abstract landscape vessels inspired by the headland and rock platforms of Long Reef, Sydney.

Utilising the vessel as a canvas, each side is decorated to form a continuous image. Incorporating texture that was cast on site, stencils from pressed tidal debris, newspaper slip transfers, glaze erosion and etching following final firing.

Keanes White Raku and Ironstone, Slips, Underglaze, Midfire and textural glazes

Botanical Sketch Series

Botanical sketch series on slipcast vessel made using six part casting mould developed from plaster master shape. Experimenting with glaze recipes that produce semi-transparency and movement of pencil line plus colour stained casting slip.

Liquid clay casting slip, custom-made plaster mould. Underglaze pencils, matte and semi-transparent glazes

Additional Ceramic Work

• Woodfire lidded vessels. Wheelthrown, inscribed and fired in a group wood firing at Northern Beaches TAFE

• Large coil built earthenware vases inspired by ancient Aztec and Pueblo pottery. Terracotta with slip and sgraffito.

• Soft slab angels created using textured and torn clay slabs and dry glazes. Height 16cm - 28cm

• Wheel thrown bowls, serving bowl and nesting condiment bowls. Surface design applied in slip with stencil and erosion techniques