Trish and Stewart work together producing
a range of maiolica domestic ware, tiles, tables, water features
and individual pieces.Using only Australian clays and materials
they aim to use the age old technique to produce work that
is inspired by the Mediterranean nature of Fremantle. Their
forms are classically simple .
Stewart also works with the woodfire aesthetic exploring
his spiritual and emotional response to the Australian landscape.
Indigenous practice of burning the vegetation over extended
periods was a process that contributed to the appearance of
the landscape. Stewarts work is fired using a mix of timbers
native to his York property (casuarina, eucalyptus and wattle).
The process is risky. Firing to temperatures in excess of
1300C with wood requires working at the boundaries of what
is possible. Extreme temperatures and corrosive wood ash seek
out any weakness in the form or body and disaster is always
only one step away.
At the high temperatures within the kiln, the clay (land
) and wood ash (remnant vegetation) melt together forming
surfaces that are reminiscent of the colours and textures
of the Australian landscape.
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