Paul Holland, Master Potter   https://windmillpottery.com.au/

Proposal

My Creative Project this semester will be a three month internship with Paul Holland, master potter at Windmill Pottery, at Sheldon in the Redland Bay area.  This will be a steep learning curve for me, exploring pottery literally from the ground up.  I will learn how to dig and process clay, how to prepare it for use, how to throw functional ware on the wheel, how to trim, how to pack the kiln and the firing process, as well as the science of glazes and how to apply them.   Paul Holland has also expressed the intention of teaching me the business side of running a pottery workshop.  I will attend two days per week, for the three months, with a 50/50 split of workshop jobs and tuition.  

The inspiration for this project grew out of a frustration I have had regarding my lack of knowledge in ceramics.  In 2014, I completed the Diploma of Visual Arts at Southbank TAFE, QLD, and one of my teachers was ceramicist, Ronelle Clarke.  A very experienced potter, she explained that when she began her studies in pottery, the learning was very intense.  The students learnt how to make their own clay combinations and the technology of glazing in depth.  She was taught, and later developed skills in all aspects of clay work.  It is hard to get that level of ceramic education in institutions these days.  

I began my own research into ceramics, reading books, looking at the Ceramic Arts Daily videos.  I joined Western Suburbs Clayworkers club and Ceramic Arts QLD, hoping to learn more skills.  This was not very successful, although I enjoyed a workshop with Stephen Bowers.  I even went to Canberra to attend the Australian Ceramics Triennale in 2015.  

Casting about for a project to work on for this first semester of 2017 with Canberra University, I came across the advertisement for interns at Windmill Pottery.  I jumped at the opportunity to increase my knowledge in this fascinating medium.  

 

Ceramics by Paul Holland, photographs by Michelle Andrews

Coming from a background in teaching and film, Paul Holland, of Windmill Pottery, has also been a potter for many years.  When he moved to the Sheldon location seven years ago, he discovered a clay deposit that could be processed and fired to stoneware temperatures.  He has since developed a business selling his ceramics and teaching pottery skills to adults and children.  I am intrigued with his ideas about sourcing local clay and developing a recognizably Australian aesthetic.