Pot luck

Vaughn Norman

Hamilton potter Vaughan Norman is putting his work on display for sale to help raise funds for Alzheimer's.

Norman said the collection has an oriental feel, producing functional stoneware pottery and sculptures in a reduction fired gas kiln.

"I identify myself with the oriental stoneware tradition best expressed in the work of Shoji Hamada, Bernard Leach and my own mentor from South Africa, Andrew Walford," Vaughn said.

"I began pottery in South Africa in the early 1980s with the significant support and encouragement of Andrew Walford. I have recently started again after a break of 15 years.

"This rediscovery has been deeply satisfying in spite of the inevitable mishaps and having to relearn old skills. It is really good to do something completely different to that, which dominates day-to-day work life."

Norman's functional, decorative stoneware pottery, all locally made, will be on sale at the exhibition being held at the Hamilton Gardens this Sunday, with the proceeds of his silent auction going to Alzheimer's New Zealand.

"I like the unpredictable and interesting textures of reduction firing. I want the colours and textures of the clays to be visible and make this an important part of each piece. There is no mistaking that the pottery pieces result from the manipulation of earth, fire, water and air; something begun by our earliest ancestors," he said.

"I start out intending to make another of something that I am satisfied with but the pieces soon change and evolve into something slightly or significantly different. The craft becomes creative. The pottery sometimes shapes the potter."

The exhibition is being held at the Hardy Centre, Hamilton Gardens, Sunday, December 7, 3-6pm. For more information, contact Vaughan on 021 174 3816 or at vnceramicsnz@gmail.com