Vanessa Lucas

CERAMICS STUDIO

Vanessa Lucas is an award winning ceramic artist who has exhibited widely in Australia and also in Japan. She has trained in Art/Craft Education, Clothing Manufacture and Ceramic Mould- making. Her work is held in numerous public and private collections.

Each vessel begins on the potters wheel and is then reformed, pushed, smoothed, recombined and moulded to become an object of considered usefulness. Using the processes of mould- making and slip-casting enables her to produce lightweight and durable porcelain pieces that are both sculptural and functional.

ARTIST STATEMENT

To work with clay is to work in close harmony with nature. The constantly changing relationship of water and air with malleable clay determines what can be achieved in the process of making. The clay itself is an ancient piece of earth that has formed over millions of years of weathering.

Within my ceramic work, anthropomorphic considerations coupled with close observation of the forms of shells and stones give rise to shapes and surfaces that mysteriously suggest more than the pots themselves. The vessels that eventuate are the distillation of influences that are transmuted through a long process of musing, deliberation and engagement with ceramic materials. The sculptural aspect of each piece is moderated by design considerations as each piece must function seamlessly as a useful object.

The inclusion of elements that echo aspects of the natural world is intended to provoke an emotional response to everyday objects and provide a connection to something deep within daily life. To value and care for beautiful utilitarian objects as an intrinsic part of a daily routine is inclined to form long-lasting relationships. Vitrified porcelain is extremely durable and has the ability to last for hundreds or even thousands of years. Respect for the longevity and purity of vitrified porcelain can engender sustainable attitudes. It is my hope that the pots I make will be used and appreciated for many years.

I have visited Gasworks Arts Park Farmers Market many times and have always looked admiringly at the ceramics studio nestled within the lovely park. After working in my studio surrounded by nature in the Macedon Ranges for forty years, to be fortunate enough to share a working space in the ceramics studio here after relocating to Melbourne is truly wonderful.