2020 and 2021 has been an interesting year to work with porcelain. Many of Australia’s clay resources have been exhausted so clay manufacturers here are importing materials required to produce good porcelains. The result of this, is clay bodies with completely different personalities both in the way they throw on the wheel and their glaze response in the firing of works. Success requires a great deal of adjustment. Losses can be significant with the only way through this being a rigorous testing programme which is frustratingly time consuming and expensive. This has brought me to new firing processes which are resulting in glazes that are soft yet visually complex.
I continue to work with simple and gentle forms which is the best vehicle to carry the glazes I develop. They are quiet pots that have meditative qualities.
My exhibition this year at Sabbia is moody, reflecting the time and space in which we find ourselves. It is my response to a shifting world. The works have been created with nurturing and gentleness in mind reminding us to walk a simple path.
Ted Secombe, 2021
