Mary Wallace
Location
Perth, WA
About
I have been a potter for more than 45 years. Along with my husband, I run Spiral Studio near Denmark in the south of Western Australia. After completing college, I trained at Beaufort Pottery, wheel throwing tableware before moving full time to my own studio. I still enjoy this process which forms the mainstay of the studio.
However, my great love is carving and I use porcelain to create pieces that are essentially decorative whilst still retaining a functional aspect. Celadon glazes also play an important part in my work.
My recent work has developed from working with one of the world's most respected porcelain carvers, Jeon Seong Keun, at his studio in South Korea. This work has been developed to reflect Australian themes mainly using native flora. Two favourite subjects are the Kangaroo Paw and the Eucalyptus Caesia (the Silver Princess) - one of Western Australia’s most admired and iconic trees.
I have an ongoing connection to South Korea, presenting at a number of ceramic festivals at Gangjin and also at the UNESCO Creative Cities Ceramics International Exchange workshop in Icheon. I travel there to spend time in the rich ceramic culture whenever I can.
Artist Statement
Carving has been my passion for most of my ceramic career.
For a number of years I have been using methods I was introduced to during visits to South Korea where carving ceramics is an important technique. I was fortunate to meet and then work with Master carver,Jeon Seong Kuen, who taught me his techniques for deep carving and open work.
As is the Korean tradition, Master Jeon charged me with passing on these skills and so, sharing them is an important part of my practice. I will be demonstrating this style of carving and how to use the tools. These tools are also very commonly used for inlay and scraffito.
Carving is a slow process and pieces often need to rest between sessions to allow them to come back to the required dampness. So you will be able to see the full process during the demonstration, I will be working on a number of pieces at different stages of development.