The future of NZ studio pottery

**TimCaulton** Sat Aug 23, 2008 7:31 pm

After five years of collecting studio pottery I finally have an idea of what I like, this has developed from a void of knowledge. I knew nothing about the subject at the start, all the names were new and the marks were a mystery. Things changed as I spent money and learned at a fast rate of exchange. One of the best ways to learn but don’t tell a gambler that.

I now am in the possession of many pots, far too many for one person, probably hundreds of mystery pieces. Many are marked, but a good deal are unmarked and made by the unknown craftsperson, it’s a pity I’m not in Korea where I hear those sorts of pots have great beauty and value. Leach was just telling me today about one next to his fancy pot. Anyway the value of some of my pots is quite clear, I don’t want to talk about them here. I want to know about the others…the masses. The container loads in the garage. Will they ever be worth anything, will they ever be seen like the Korean pots? Or the Feltex pictorial souvenir rugs?

I don’t believe the masses were ever made with the idea that they would become famous objects of desire. Just pots for everyday use, by everyday people, the style of the pot reflected in the maker, and their skill. The dull waxy glazes to the glossy gleamers and porcelain paper cutters. These are New Zealand pots, not copies from Japan or elsewhere. So in time it will be interesting to see just what happens to the humble saltpig or ramekin. Anyone up for a casserole tonight?

ev Sat Aug 23, 2008 8:30 pm

Wow that is deep..... and thought provoking Tim.
I believe that every pot captures a piece of the potter's soul.
I have lots of pottery souls at my place too.... Very Happy

Some of the potters have gone to potters heaven - and I still have a piece of them.
Others have gone to far away places and yet I can still feel them close to me.
I treasure my pottery collection as it is a reflection of my life and those I admire or have known or met. There is a magical quality about touching a piece that was made from a lump of 'mud' then glazed and fired by a potter that will be around for eons ..... metaphysical magic!

Guest Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:59 pm

I think firing clay is the closest humans have come to alchemy. From earth with water added and fire applied comes treasure. Some hand moulded bricks I have have thumb marks in them, some wheel thrown pieces have impressions of the potter's fingers. In different ways something of the maker lives on in them. And of the hands they passed through on their journey to me.

If some of the energy and cash that is put into collecting pottery from factories long closed or potters gone, back into the earth or fire, is directed towards contemporary living potters or those at the beginning of their careers perhaps the future would open up.

Sponsored content

The future of NZ studio pottery

The future of NZ studio pottery

Re: The future of NZ studio pottery

Re: The future of NZ studio pottery

Re: The future of NZ studio pottery