Decorating
5 Kiwi Potters Worth Getting Excited About
Let the inspiring work of these ceramicists reignite your love affair with the handmade
The 1980s, I’m assured by people older than me, was a period of interior design nightmares. To be honest though, it sounds like my idea of heaven: lumpy ceramics, bold colours, house plants … what a dream! Regardless of your feelings, the era is making a comeback. You’ve heard about the shift from minimalism to eclecticism: start with some kitschy ceramics, and let these New Zealand potters reignite your love affair with the handmade.
You could make your own, of course: taking the time to create something beautiful for your own home is so special. Throwing clay offers many therapeutic opportunities, but also the chance to impress people with your artistic prowess.
If you’re into that super-lumpy, borderline-ugly look, this is hands down the best way to get it without paying a small fortune. The other wonderful thing about making your own pottery is that not only will it be one of a kind, but it’ll fit into your house perfectly – if you want it to, that is.
Failing that, check out these five New Zealand potters for some ceramic inspiration.
If you’re into that super-lumpy, borderline-ugly look, this is hands down the best way to get it without paying a small fortune. The other wonderful thing about making your own pottery is that not only will it be one of a kind, but it’ll fit into your house perfectly – if you want it to, that is.
Failing that, check out these five New Zealand potters for some ceramic inspiration.
1. Amanda Shanley
Working out of a small Dunedin studio, which doubles as a showroom, Amanda Shanley’s work is indescribably gorgeous. It’s white and fine and the outside will be etched with what looks like pencil strokes, but is actually one of her signature glazes.
Her form is playful but feels so in touch with her local Otago coastline – rugged and beautiful greys and blues, with soft whites and bold colour splashes. It could be a mess, but it isn’t. The juxtaposition of delicate clay and fun glazing techniques create real showpieces – they’re striking and functional.
Working out of a small Dunedin studio, which doubles as a showroom, Amanda Shanley’s work is indescribably gorgeous. It’s white and fine and the outside will be etched with what looks like pencil strokes, but is actually one of her signature glazes.
Her form is playful but feels so in touch with her local Otago coastline – rugged and beautiful greys and blues, with soft whites and bold colour splashes. It could be a mess, but it isn’t. The juxtaposition of delicate clay and fun glazing techniques create real showpieces – they’re striking and functional.
Hand-thrown mugs, beakers and bowls by Amanda Shanley – try The Poi Room or Vesta Design to purchase online
Her works are charming and quirky, but neutral enough to fit easily into a mid-century or light-toned home. An open display shelf works perfectly for a Shanley set: they’ll look mismatched but somehow cohesive paired with neutral bowls or plates. Think about how soft pops of colour can work with your existing design and slot in her work.
They’re the kind of beautiful things that you’ll want to use every day – I certainly do!
Her works are charming and quirky, but neutral enough to fit easily into a mid-century or light-toned home. An open display shelf works perfectly for a Shanley set: they’ll look mismatched but somehow cohesive paired with neutral bowls or plates. Think about how soft pops of colour can work with your existing design and slot in her work.
They’re the kind of beautiful things that you’ll want to use every day – I certainly do!
Collusions, an exhibition of work by Peter & Julie Collis
2. Peter Collis
You’ll recognise his unmistakable crackle glaze, because almost every home in New Zealand has a piece, but Peter Collis tells me that lately he’s been making the same sorts of things that we used to see in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Organic soft-form pottery has made a real comeback recently, with people wanting their homewares just kitsch enough. Peter has a real knack for this kind of work, creating thick-rimmed plates and bowls with flowing movement. He hand-throws most of his work, and his wife Julie makes this paper-thin glossy white ware, with gold accents.
2. Peter Collis
You’ll recognise his unmistakable crackle glaze, because almost every home in New Zealand has a piece, but Peter Collis tells me that lately he’s been making the same sorts of things that we used to see in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Organic soft-form pottery has made a real comeback recently, with people wanting their homewares just kitsch enough. Peter has a real knack for this kind of work, creating thick-rimmed plates and bowls with flowing movement. He hand-throws most of his work, and his wife Julie makes this paper-thin glossy white ware, with gold accents.
Bayly & Collis range, from Stevens
Peter and Julie have recently collaborated with Ben Bayly of The Grove and Baduzzi restaurants on a range of inexpensive serveware – you can buy it from Stevens. Think natural shades of quail-egg blue and cream, and a very striking black. The idea for the collection came from Bayly wanting his My Kitchen Rules contestants to have beautiful, real ceramics to plate on, and they’re now using the same plates in his restaurants.
Manawatu clay forms the base of these soft-form plates and bowls. They’re a little bit retro and misshapen, but that was the look they wanted. The moulds are hand-thrown by Peter and the next cut were all made in a tiny Palmerston North factory. There are little imperfections in every piece – that’s what makes them special.
He tells me that food trends have really shaped his work. Check the bottom of your plate next time you’re in the likes of Orphans Kitchen or Sidart if you don’t believe me – he makes them all. He’s a bit of a trendsetter, is Peter.
Peter and Julie have recently collaborated with Ben Bayly of The Grove and Baduzzi restaurants on a range of inexpensive serveware – you can buy it from Stevens. Think natural shades of quail-egg blue and cream, and a very striking black. The idea for the collection came from Bayly wanting his My Kitchen Rules contestants to have beautiful, real ceramics to plate on, and they’re now using the same plates in his restaurants.
Manawatu clay forms the base of these soft-form plates and bowls. They’re a little bit retro and misshapen, but that was the look they wanted. The moulds are hand-thrown by Peter and the next cut were all made in a tiny Palmerston North factory. There are little imperfections in every piece – that’s what makes them special.
He tells me that food trends have really shaped his work. Check the bottom of your plate next time you’re in the likes of Orphans Kitchen or Sidart if you don’t believe me – he makes them all. He’s a bit of a trendsetter, is Peter.
3. Taus
Taus is a teeny-tiny venture by Tim Grocott – he works from the Te Atatu Peninsula, in Auckland. It’s all a bit fun: there are painted hip flasks, brew gear and mugs. Black on white with little bits of cork and American Ash to break it up, they’re about as neutral as you can get.
There’s nothing boring about Grocott’s collection, though. All the throwing and paintwork is original and done by hand. The hip flasks mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love them. And I especially love those mugs.
Taus is a teeny-tiny venture by Tim Grocott – he works from the Te Atatu Peninsula, in Auckland. It’s all a bit fun: there are painted hip flasks, brew gear and mugs. Black on white with little bits of cork and American Ash to break it up, they’re about as neutral as you can get.
There’s nothing boring about Grocott’s collection, though. All the throwing and paintwork is original and done by hand. The hip flasks mightn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I love them. And I especially love those mugs.
‘Julia’ jug and cup set, $120, special order from Taus
The pieces focus on functionality and sleek design, but they all have a little bit of a reclaimed, vintage vibe to them – the theme of the year, so it would seem. It works, simply and elegantly, just as he says he wants it to.
You can pick up four of Grocott’s handmade mugs and a single-cup pour-over coffee dripper for around $200, so it’s incredible value for money. They’re perfect for the minimalist that has everything.
The pieces focus on functionality and sleek design, but they all have a little bit of a reclaimed, vintage vibe to them – the theme of the year, so it would seem. It works, simply and elegantly, just as he says he wants it to.
You can pick up four of Grocott’s handmade mugs and a single-cup pour-over coffee dripper for around $200, so it’s incredible value for money. They’re perfect for the minimalist that has everything.
Vintage Kelston Ceramic cups and bowls by Crown Lynn – try Trade Me for similar
4. Crown Lynn
A household name across New Zealand, these pieces are characterised by a little blue hallmark on the bottom of each one. These guys started in 1854, originally manufacturing pipes, and moving to homewares in the 1930s, equipping New Zealand homes with plates, bowls, cups and saucers until the factory closed in 1989. They specialise in moulded objects with vintage charm – ideal for anyone who’s still into shabby chic.
4. Crown Lynn
A household name across New Zealand, these pieces are characterised by a little blue hallmark on the bottom of each one. These guys started in 1854, originally manufacturing pipes, and moving to homewares in the 1930s, equipping New Zealand homes with plates, bowls, cups and saucers until the factory closed in 1989. They specialise in moulded objects with vintage charm – ideal for anyone who’s still into shabby chic.
The best thing about Crown Lynn is that you can pick up bits and pieces all over the show, and for next to nothing sometimes. Get a load of mismatched cups or jugs – or both – and set them up in a cubby hole, or on hooks. Work in some neutrals if you want it toned down, or stick with brights for a full-blown ’80s throwback. Online is your best bet: Trade Me has just about every piece of pottery they ever made!
They’re a great option for adding pops of colour to an otherwise bland space. Don’t be afraid of things that seem too bright; a white or wooden backdrop will ease the tone.
They’re a great option for adding pops of colour to an otherwise bland space. Don’t be afraid of things that seem too bright; a white or wooden backdrop will ease the tone.
5. Jaime Jenkins
You can buy a Jaime Jenkins piece from Muck Store in Grey Lynn. Otherwise you’ll have to venture to Tauranga, where she creates her absolutely stunning work. Each piece is also very hardwearing, which is great, because everyone loves functional design. Jenkins makes thick, heavy-bottomed plates, vases and bowls in organic (and retro) shades of green, grey, brown and cream.
The pieces are perfectly imperfect. There are speckles where the paint has cracked in the kiln, and lumps from them being created by hand. Her form is natural and bold, but the understated style of shape that she uses means her pieces lend themselves to any home. These grey side plates almost look as though they’ve been carved straight out of a rock; they’re thick rimmed and earthy.
You can buy a Jaime Jenkins piece from Muck Store in Grey Lynn. Otherwise you’ll have to venture to Tauranga, where she creates her absolutely stunning work. Each piece is also very hardwearing, which is great, because everyone loves functional design. Jenkins makes thick, heavy-bottomed plates, vases and bowls in organic (and retro) shades of green, grey, brown and cream.
The pieces are perfectly imperfect. There are speckles where the paint has cracked in the kiln, and lumps from them being created by hand. Her form is natural and bold, but the understated style of shape that she uses means her pieces lend themselves to any home. These grey side plates almost look as though they’ve been carved straight out of a rock; they’re thick rimmed and earthy.
Jaime Jenkins’ Fruit Basket, $130, from Muck Store
My favourite piece, though? Her army green fruit basket – it’s lumpy and full of misshapen holes, designed, as the Muck website says, “to prevent possible mould due to condensation”.
This is thoughtful art – Jenkins sources her own clay locally, and the reflection of her land is ever present in her work.
My favourite piece, though? Her army green fruit basket – it’s lumpy and full of misshapen holes, designed, as the Muck website says, “to prevent possible mould due to condensation”.
This is thoughtful art – Jenkins sources her own clay locally, and the reflection of her land is ever present in her work.
This is a collaborative group of New Zealand designers, and any collection featuring their work should reflect that. Eclecticism is key.
For your own ceramics collection, try featuring trendy plants in unmatched, even broken, pots and set them around to spruce up your home. We have a shedload of pots sitting outside, on handmade MDF shelves. They don’t match, some of them are painted in funny colours, some are quality, some my flatmate Pip has made, but it’s a great look.
TELL US
Have you embraced ceramics in your home? Share a photo of your collection in the Comments section below.
MORE
Discover more artists and artisans in your area
For your own ceramics collection, try featuring trendy plants in unmatched, even broken, pots and set them around to spruce up your home. We have a shedload of pots sitting outside, on handmade MDF shelves. They don’t match, some of them are painted in funny colours, some are quality, some my flatmate Pip has made, but it’s a great look.
TELL US
Have you embraced ceramics in your home? Share a photo of your collection in the Comments section below.
MORE
Discover more artists and artisans in your area
From fast fashion to timeless pieces with integrity and longevity, classically designed ceramics can offer real value for money if you choose carefully. All of this makes clay a wonderful option for those looking to upgrade their serveware, garden or tiled spaces.