Beatrice Waller, Drawing nearer, porcelain, white stoneware, glaze and cremated paper, 2024. 700x200x200mm

Recently for uni, I was tasked with writing a biography for Joan Campbell, an Australian Potter who worked from the 1960s-90s and was influential in the Australian ceramics scene. In writing about her and her legacy, I was struck by a sense of affinity to her in so many ways - describing her to my friends, I joked that I was her reincarnation. So let me tell you a bit about Joan, and in turn, show you something of myself.

...the thought of my last connection to Warialda being severed was very sad for me. Even though I spent years wishing to be far from there, it was still home. My visits after moving away resulted in a strong connection to the land around me. I was, and still am, hugely defined by the calm I feel when I walk in the surrounding bushland. So much so, that my work in ceramics is inspired by that place in the colours and textures that I use. It’s an endless search to maintain my connection to home. 

Prior to the move, I needed to do something to express my thanks to Warialda, and I decided to embark on a personal art project of sorts to leave my mark, as it did on me. And so I thought I would tell you about how I said goodbye to this place.

I think that we have a God who creates and the purpose of everything in creation is to point to Him. We have trees that are beautiful and therefore point to the fact that God is good, so I think Christian artists can pursue other ideas because they’re reshaping what He’s given us to point to him through, even if it isn’t explicit.It all begins with an idea.