I recently went to Kyoto, Japan with my dear friend Kerist in mid-May for 12 days (including 2 days of trains/planes). We had two days to explore before going on a bespoke creative cultural tour with sisters Kylie and Tiffany Johnson. They are known as a Ceramicist and Writer respectively. Both have a love of words, ceramics, supporting small business owners and saving the crafts (quite literally). The tour went beyond our expectations and the small group who participated agreed it was an incredibly generous and memorable trip. Each component was curated to have an element of surprise, wonderment and appreciation of what Japan has to offer. It truly is a land of bountiful food, shared table conversations, and the learning of crafts from ceramics to sashiko, a cooking class to wax relief dyeing. I loved every moment.
Perhaps the most life-changing experience was going to the Raku Museum. It put into perspective my 10 years of in and out making ceramics paled in comparison to 450 years of one family’s history. Thanks to the first Mr and Mrs Raku, the Museum’s video shone a much needed light on what my direction would be. I’ve been struggling for sometime trying to find my path, my clarity and what work I really wanted to make. Applications to awards and exhibitions turned into the ‘sad letters’ and I knew instinctively it was time to change.
Kyoto provided that wake up call. I now know I only want to make for myself. I am going back to the basics. Making my vessels by hand. Understanding how clay works from touch, shape and size. I’ve been busy playing with Bennetts Terracotta. It’s smooth and easy to work with. So, watch this space as I embark on my 3 months sabbatical working in my studio full-time. The gallery will still be humming in the background but I’m now putting myself first. The first time in more than 9 years since I opened GOST. Enjoy the photos below.
