They say a teacher can shape the course of your life and so it was for me. In 1976 I was ten years old when my school teacher taught us about protestors wanting to save Australian rainforest. I’d never heard of rainforest let alone protestors and I recall feeling so alive and excited as he described the unique animals and plants and how these brave people were helping to save something so important. I decided in that moment I wanted to be one of those people when I grew up.
At university I studied biological sciences and apart from a stint as an advisor in the NSW Parliament (where I met Richard Jones ahem), I’ve been working in the environment movement ever since.
Another pivotal period in my twenties was a working holiday to Japan. I fell in love with the Japanese portrayal of beauty and the distilled, natural aesthetic that permeated everyday objects. I loved the indigo fabrics, the bamboo and timber, mossy rocks and the rustic cups and plates that delivered exquisite displays of food. A seed was planted.
Later, I discovered the simple elegance and patina I was so drawn to is deeply fundamental to the Japanese understanding of beauty expressed by the term wabi sabi. Loosely translated it means ‘wisdom in natural simplicity’. Ceramics that capture this essence resonate and I find in them an expression of soul, if you will.
By some magic I now find myself living a stone’s throw from the very rainforests those courageous protestors saved all those years ago and I can’t thank them enough.
And here we are creating wonky pots under the moniker Rainforest Ceramics and doing our bit, with your support, to help save dwindling rainforests all over the world.
Richard is the main potter but you’ll see my pieces and designs from time to time. I endeavour to capture their essence with the camera for your delight on this website.
nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect