In 1980 I attended a pottery course at the local high school . Previously my experience in the arts was in reproduction via the screen printing industry in England. My pottery tutor was the late Pieter Bolton , an accomplished sculptor. I found at the very outset I felt completely at home with clay and its processes . I began by firing an updraft  woodfired brick kiln, built at the bottom of the garden.

 

The updraft kiln was then replaced by a catenary arched downdraft kiln also fired by wood. Several years ago I built a gas fired kiln. Now I am able, after much experimentation, to produce the copper red reduced glazes for which I have always had a passion to produce. In recent years I have been able to devote more time to my craft.

 

I'm moving away from domestic ware, to more sculptural individual artworks . I enjoy the hands on approach needed for wood and gas firings as I feel that this method involves me totally in the whole process of producing clay artworks. My workshop is located in a small township steeped in gold mining history, the bush and  the river at my doorstep. These surroundings in many ways make up for the isolation sometimes felt.

 

I feel privileged to be able to work in this environment creating works that give pleasure and could last for thousands of years
and not harm the environment.

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Chris Lewis