Conversations with a Brick
A collaborative moment with woodfire potter Steve Williams
And the exhibition – ‘Mostly Useful and Conversations with a Brick’
I have always loved the idea that our lives can be broken down into a series of moments. Life seems much less overwhelming when I think about it in this way.
Interestingly, the word ‘moment’ derives from the Latin word ‘momentum’, which originally meant ‘movement’ or ‘force’.
To me this is an apt description for the force that seems to drive people together to create, experiences and physical forms.
Steve embodies this feeling for me.
Master Potter, Chester Nealie captured this idea beautifully when describing Steve’s work, he said, “his energy appears in his pots. You can literally see the movement.”
So, to say I was excited when he asked me to collaborate on some pieces for his next exhibition is an understatement.
The plan was to create some work together…
Beginning the process was actually harder than we thought as neither Steve, nor I would define ourselves as planners.
I think it was Steve that said why don’t’ you carve into this piece of clay, and I can chuck more clay at it to capture the impressions.
Good idea…I said….and we were off.
Carving into clay then turned into carving a thick rubber substrate when we realised that we needed to create deeper impressions for greater impact.
I carved some of the floral designs I had been exploring as repeat patterns for fabrics.
The next week, I arrived at Dolly’s Flat Studio with rubber plates in hand.
Steve literally pounded a mound of clay until it was viscous and directed me to lay the carve plates on the floor.
With great gusto he threw the clay at them.
As he peeled back the clay from the plate, the result was mind-blowing….do it again, do it again, I said, like a child who could have watched the process over and over.
Equally as interesting was the impression created when the thrown clay fell off the edge of the plate and captured the seam or crack between the carved and smooth surfaces.
We were pumped with excitement…. more rubber plates were carved, and more clay was chucked on top of them on the floor.
Steve has this extraordinary ability to notice the quiet interactions between moments. I love these moments too! I call them the ‘in-between’.
I feel like the works we created together came from this space; the moment between the in and out breath, the place where all creation lives.
Life is once again offering me opportunities to create with Steve and I am so looking forward to the adventure. Stay tuned!
Here are some images of Steve’s exhibition at Manning Regional Art Gallery in 2021 where our collaborative pieces were exhibited. Steve was also featured on the cover of The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 60. No2 during this show. Tess Kerbel our brilliant friend, wrote a beautiful article about Steve and his ethos, and our collaborative journey together.
Vase forms on display in the exhibition
Steve Williams talks about the exhibition
