Birds of Clay Podcast

In our final episode, we’re feeling all the things—grateful, exhausted, and still buzzing with excitement. We catch up on life, reflect on where we draw inspiration, and dive into the differences between mentors and teachers. Plus, we take a joyful look at Glenn Barkley’s Ceramics: An Atlas of Forms—not so much a review, more a celebration. Thanks for sticking with us this season. See you soon for more great chats!Here's links to some of the things we spoke about this episode: artisanShifting GroundSixtyMoon Do BangGoldmark Gallery DocosFoster a PotterThe JournalAustralian Ceramics Triennale Thanks everyone for your support. We're excited to be back soon with Season 3 later in 2025...______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Today we chat with our new friend and local maker Sarah Hotchin. Sarah is a true artist with creativity at her core. She is currently working as a graphic designer while also creating with clay. We speak to her about living in Istanbul where she learnt the skill of hand building and the importance of sharing a meal. She also speaks about being part of a studio in San Francisco and how it feels coming back to regional Queensland. A highlight is hearing about Sarah's practice of journaling - we are truly inspired! Sarah shares a creative life with her husband Joseph Bergado and they have just launched Hotchin Bergado with a collection of Sarah's ceramics called Tidal Whispers. These beautiful functional hand built pieces are brought to life with rich imagery and story inspired by Sarah's reflections in her journal. https://www.hotchinbergado.com/https://www.instagram.com/hotchin_bergado/______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

In this episode, we chat with Kirsti Falconer, a ceramic artist based on Yuggera country in the Lockyer Valley. Kirsti shares how her background in painting, gallery curation, teaching, and community organising informs her ceramic practice. We explore her creative evolution, the role of place and community in her work, and celebrate her recent First Class Honours and University Medal from the University of Southern Queensland. Tune in for a rich conversation on art, identity, and creative connection.You can get in touch with Kirsti on instagram @kirstifalconerAs always we'd love to hear from you! Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Rora and Jane catch up for a relaxed cuppa and chat. We discuss a few updates in our lives and delve into some recent discussions that piqued our interest that have been happening on Instagram. Jane also has just read Clay: A Human History by Jennifer Lucy Allen and shares some great stories from it.As always we'd love to hear from you! Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

We have a special episode today – a live recording of the launch for Issue 641 of the The Journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC), Adelaide on Kaurna Land, 3 May 2025 (election day!). The afternoon launch event included a visit to the APY Studio Adelaide, including meeting some of the Blak Manta artists featured in JAC issue 641. Then we headed to Es Ceramics studio visit to see a throwing demonstration from Guy Ringwood.Next stop was The Wheaty for a panel discussion on the journal theme INDUSTRY & STORY with Alison Smiles, Dee Taylor-Graham, Guy Ringwood and Jo Crawford facilitated by JAC's editor Montessa Maack and Myself (Jane) and supported by WA's own Matt Russell. Introduced by the CEO of The Australian Ceramics Association (TACA) Diamando Koutsellis. APY Studio Adelaide @collectiveartcentre @apy_ac_collective & Alfred Lowe @aforalfie Es Ceramics Studio @es_ceramics_australia  Guy Ringwood  @ringwoodartscoAlison Smiles @alisonsmilesoftenDee Taylor-Graham @waldies.schoolJo Crawford @unisa.artMontessa Maack @montessamaackMatt Russell @mattrussell7Diamando Koutsellis @diamandoThe Wheatsheaf Hotel @thewheatyJust a heads up – the sound does get a bit better as it goes on. The Wheaty is a pub on a main road and on a flight path!______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

In this episode, we sit down with celebrated Brisbane-based ceramic artist Clairy Laurence, whose bold, expressive sculptures elicit dreams, fairytales, and the surreal. Known for her richly detailed figures and distinctive visual language, Clairy shares the story behind her artistic evolution—from early apprenticeship days to her full-time practice, and her deep roots in Brisbane’s creative community. We delve into her memories of Amfora Gallery, her role in the Field Trip space, and the development of her unmistakable style. Clairy also reflects on the joys and challenges of teaching, the shifting landscape of Australian ceramics, and the development of an artistic voice. Instagram: @clairylaurence & @fieldtrip.galleryhttps://www.clairylaurence.com/

We head down to Meanjin (Brisbane) to visit the amazing Laura Pascoe at Vacant Assembly, a hybrid arts working space in the vibrant and changing suburb of West End. Laura embraces a sensitive approach to her making, drawing on the Australian landscape. She also has a passion for holding space for others to create and exhibit. Our rich chat covers many topics including the intersection of architecture and clay, community, making, woodfiring and life as a creative.Laura Pascoe is a Meanjin (Brisbane)-based ceramic artist, interior designer, and art curator with a background in architecture. She blends creativity with community, using her expertise in interior design, art selection, and ceramics to foster collaboration and authenticity through her work and the gallery she co-founded, Vacant Assembly.https://www.laurapascoe.au/https://www.instagram.com/la.pascoe/______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Rora and Jane finally get the chance to sit down and catch up. The beginning of 2025 has been a little rocky and both of our lives seem to be dominated by lots of teaching. So teaching? What role does it play in our practice? What about balance? How do we teach? What do we teach and when do we teach? It's a rambling ride of a chat but hope you get something from it.If you have feedback, ideas or just feeling like sharing, please reach out. ______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Today we chat with the multi-talented Larissa Warren. We delve into hearing all about her recent commission at HOTA, what it's like being a regional artist, and how she lives a creative life. Larissa also shares her passion for research - examining clay, people and history and speaks about her curation of an upcoming national touring exhibition. We are so grateful for this chat and are taking away some great advice for our own practices!Check our Larissa's show 'Echos of Place' at Gallery Smith in Prahan, Melbourne until April 19th, 2025. Larissa Warren is a ceramicist, curator, writer and art teacher, working from her home studio in an underground bunker on Tamborine Mountain, Queensland. Larissa has gained national recognition through exhibitions and media coverage. She won Ceramic Arts Queensland’s Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence in 2018 and HoTA: Home of the Arts in Surfers’ Paradise commissioned a major body of her work for Here and Now: Gold Coast Triennial. She has published in the Queensland History Journal, Pottery Making Illustrated, Australiana and Australian Journal of Ceramics. She is curating an upcoming national touring exhibition with Museums & Galleries Queensland, featuring 12 mid-career ceramic artists who respond to local histories and clays.ratbagstudios.com______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

This episode we're speaking with Ipswich ceramic artist, Isis Reading. Using very few tools other than her hands, Isis creates uniquely figurative functional and sculptural ceramics, thoughtfully finished with an array of hand-made glazes. We discuss how Isis uses her creative practice to support her family, how she maintains a positive outlook and how she has cultivated a creative, slow, love-filled lifestyle. If you'd like to follow her work or stay notified on her markets, check out Isis on instagram: @eyes_of_isis_ ______________________________________________________________Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcastFind us on instagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @Jane.orme.pottery

Today we chat with Ruby Yeh! We discuss Ruby's experience growing up as Taiwanese Australian and the pressure she has felt around achieving.  We also delve into art prizes, chat about dealing with self doubt, and hear about Ruby's adventures. (Sorry for the background noise - it's hard to find a quiet place in the big city!)  Ruby Yu-Lu Yeh is a Taiwanese-Australian ceramic artist in Meanjin/ Brisbane. She uses wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques to create and develop works that can be sculptural and functional. Ruby’s current exploration focuses on creating vessels with texts as a form of meditation, investigating an internal dialogue between her Eastern upbringing and Western education. Ruby has exhibited in Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Japan and Taiwan. She was a finalist in the National Emerging Art Prize (2021 and 2023) and a finalist with a Highly Commended Award in The Siliceous Award for Ceramics Excellence (2023). She won the City of Townsville Art Collection Award in the North Queensland Ceramic Awards (2024). She is also a student of Urasenke Chado (Japanese tea ceremony) under the guidance of Sensei Tomoko (Soho) White. Ruby worked for editor Montessa Maack as the assistant editor for The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 63 No 3, November 2024.Website: https://www.yehceramics.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yehceramics/ Email: [email protected]'Raising Kids and Making Pots' article:  https://australianceramics.com/assets/parenting-article-in-full-jac-633.pdf--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to 2025 and our second season!In this episode we're having a cuppa and catching up. Chatting about the busy end of 2024, current projects, and goals and expectations of 2025. We have some wonderful interviews coming up that we're very excited for and fingers crossed a wonderful new way to support the podcast through Patreon coming soon.Thanks for supporting us, we're so excited for this season!--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to Clay Connections, our short side series. In this episode we are chatting with the wonderful Holly Macdonald. At the time of recording, Holly was undertaking a residency at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop https://www.ssw.org.uk/.  We chatted about this experience, working with clay through performance, community practice and the ups and downs of living a creative life. A wonderful inspiring chat! Holly Macdonald is an independent artist working across ceramics, performance, interdisciplinary collaboration and community practice. Through her practice she explores the dynamic relationship between maker, material, and place. By following clay into often unknown sculptural outcomes, Holly aims to foreground material agency and remain open to what we might learn about ourselves and our world from working with such a soft and responsive material.Currently based in Muloobinba/ Newcastle, Holly has exhibited work throughout Australia including at Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Lake Macquarie's Multi-Arts Pavilion, mima, Cement Fondu, Firstdraft and Sabbia Gallery. They have undertaken residencies in the Northern Territory, France, Belgium and most recently at the Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Scotland. As well as maintaining a studio practice, Holly teaches ceramics and has contributed time and enthusiasm to organisations such as The Australian Ceramics Association, The Creator Incubator (Muloobina/ Newcastle) and kil.n.it Experimental Ceramics, Sydney. She is a graduate of the National Art School and holds an Honours degree in Fine Art from RMIT.https://www.instagram.com/h_ollymacdonald/--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to Clay Connections, our short side series.Today we chat with the very talented Samuel Leighton-Dore. Sam is a screenwriter, director and interdisciplinary visual artist based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, living and working on the lands of the Kombumerri families from Yugambeh Language Region.  Sam's calmness, warm nature and humour shine through while we chat about vulnerability, toxic masculinity, social media and our struggles with boundaries.Please check out the below links, especially the smile tiles - they really do make you smile.https://www.instagram.com/thesmiletiles/https://www.instagram.com/samleightondore/https://www.sadmanstudio.comIf you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.You can also find other supports here https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to Clay Connections, our short side series.It's our first international chat! Today, Jane is speaking with Eva Masterman from Newcastle, England.  Eva Masterman is an artist and educator working with clay for over 16 years, in both sculpture and collaborative participation. She is the founder of The Clay Commons, a developing organisation and podcast that explores clay as an agent for change and community studios as sites of emancipatory education and anticapitalist organising. We chat about the changing face of clay education, the rise of the studio model, creating more inclusive communities and Eva's passion—creating a network of radical community clay studios outside the pressure of capitalism. @evamasterman--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to Clay Connections, our short side series.Today Jane visits Monte Lupo; an amazing clay studio and cafe that provide employment opportunities for artists living with a disability. https://www.montelupoarts.org.au/https://www.instagram.com/montelupoarts/--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to our short side series — Clay Connections!In a new series of the podcast, we are focusing on wellbeing, community and creativity. We believe in the power of creativity to heal and bring people together.In this first episode we talk about our own journeys with mental health, when clay becomes work, process vs outcome, imposter syndrome, teaching, community and boundaries. If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.You can also find other supports here https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

This week we were joined by Rachel North, an educator and multi-disciplinary artist working on Yuggera Ugarapul Country. Rachel's work explores the complex connections between landscape and memory. Using ceramics, painting and textiles to communicate her conceptual ideas, Rachel tells us how her practice has evolved over time to cross creative disciplines and deepen her understanding of how place can hold and hinder memory. Rachel tells us about her experiences as an arts educator of the next generation and how she engages her students with the medium of clay. Lastly we ask Rachel how to begin working on a big project, and what's her piece of advice for other makers?Keep in touch with Rachel and see her latest work here: @maple_and_raven_studio --------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Today we had the privilege to talk to Nathanlie Marie. Nathanlie (aka Lily) is at the early stages of building a career in clay. It was wonderful to hear her deep passion for the material and be reminded of that obsession we both started with. Nathanlie Marie is a Filipino artist currently based in Australia. Informed by her lived experience, she works with ceramics and sculpture to investigate the impact of memory on the human experience, as well as the individual and collective identity. Marie investigates the complex emotions brought on by sentimentality towards seemingly mundane objects and situations. Using familiar imagery and objects, combined with her bright and whimsical artistic style, she creates visual narratives which encourage viewers to reflect on their own experiences, through memory and how they perceive the world around them.We're excited to see what she does next!@nathanliemarie--------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

This episode we chat about our personal glaze journeys, where we are in our glaze educations and where we want to be. We discuss how we use glaze in our creative practices and our introductions into using commercially made glazes and how we began experimenting with raw materials to make our own. The best way for us to reach new listeners is through word of mouth so if you like our podcast please let your clay friends know and leave us a rating or review! Resources: For Flux Sake Podcast https://ceramicmaterialsworkshop.com/for-flux-sake-podcast.htmlDigital Fire https://digitalfire.com Glazy https://glazy.org Learn to Make Glazes For Australian Potters https://www.facebook.com/groups/glazes/ --------------------------------------------------------Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Today Jane chats with artist, educator, academic and community worker, David Usher. We chat about David's rich history in the arts in Brisbane and Toowoomba, his research into the 'Spook' and the importance of community.  Please check out David's instagram as it really brings this chat to life with artworks and photos: a real archive of a creative life! https://www.instagram.com/the_david_usher/David Usher is a Brisbane born Toowoomba based artist undertaking a Doctorate at the University of Southern Queensland - his area of research is ‘the Spook’. David explains, ‘the Spook occurs in an artwork through the culmination of a series of elements - of the application of composition, colour and light... The artist develops an intuitive awareness or knowledge about their arts practice to gain a sense of the overall feeling of the work in front of them, to ascertain whether the composition, or ‘feel’ of the work has reached the moment when it has a kind of magic about it.’ David’s work captures the essence, or emotion within a landscape, and in doing so, embodies the feeling or experience of the Spook. There is a wealth of theoretical research David has engaged with, he has recently co-authored an essay titled ‘Notions of the Spook and the Role of the Studio: Considerations of Space and the Sensory Experiences of Producing Art’. The thing that is special about this research is that it is a theoretical discussion of something that is felt. The instinctive landscapes are a direct translation of David’s physical experience in a landscape, his experience is captured and transferred to be read as the Spook in his paintings/ceramics. David has shown with several galleries including Doggart and ALG, and has work in collections including Queensland Art Gallery, Artbank, Brisbane City Hall Gallery and Queensland Potters Association. https://www.david-usher.com/David is represented by Alexandra Lawson Gallery.  https://www.alexandralawsongallery.com/David is exhibiting at La Trobe Art Space with Naomi White and Liesl Baker in a show called Tall Tales 11 -17 June. https://www.latrobeartspace.com/--------------------------------------------------------Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

In the episode today we are reflecting (gushing) about the week we have just had in North West NSW at Clay Gulgong. Clay Gulgong is a week long biennial event, globally recognised for its strong links with the field of ceramics. It is run by Mansfield Ceramics and brings an amazing group of national and international artists to the beautiful town of Gulgong. https://www.mansfieldceramics.com/clay-gulgong/about/@claygulgong_mansfieldceramics Here are the artists we spoke about:Josh Copus @joshcopuspottery  https://www.joshcopus.com/Tan Tek Heng (Alvin)  @tucollabNaidee Changmoh  @naidee_changmohChanakarn (Punch) Semachai  @numpucsh https://www.numpucsh.com/Shiyuan Xu @shiyuanxu129Ted Secombe  @tedsecombeofficial https://tedsecombe.com/Malcom Greenwood  @malcomgreenwoodceramics https://malcolmgreenwood.com/Tim See @timseeclayEbony Russel @ebonyrussell.art https://ebonyrussell.com/Ruth Ju-shih Li @ruth.li.artTomoko Konno @arttomoko https://www.moonxmoon.com/Marina Pribaz @marinapribaz https://marinapribaz.com/Aaron Scythe @godinc247 https://www.ascythe.com/Simone Fraser  @simonefraserceramics  https://simonefraser.com.au/Fleur Schell @fleurschell https://www.fleurschell.com/Keith Brymer Jones @keithbrymerjones https://www.keithbrymerjones.com/UniSQ Biennial Art Award https://www.unisq.edu.au/about-unisq/locations/toowoomba/art-gallery/art-award/2024-finalists--------------------------------------------------------Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Today Rora and Jane discuss putting their work into the world. When do you do it? Where do you do it?  How do you do it? Deep dives into markets, galleries, art prizes and more. Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

In this episode we have the privilege to speak to two amazing artists - Shannon Garson & Sarah Rayner! Both women live and work on beautiful Jinibara Country (Maleny and surrounds) in Regional Queensland (in the background you can hear the local birds squawking/chirping and leaves rustling.)It's a long rich chat. We cover so many great topics - clay origin stories,  working from a home studio, finding your voice, artist statements, importance of community, and the power of critique. Shannon Garsonhttps://www.instagram.com/shannongarson/https://www.shannongarsonporcelain.com.au/Shannon is running the next creative voyage in July in Maleny. Find out more here -https://creativevoyagemaleny.com/Sarah Raynerhttps://www.instagram.com/sarah.rayner/https://www.sarahrayner.com.au/Sarah is represented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert https://gallerysallydancuthbert.com/Though we better add a glossary for a couple of term we mentioned...Terra sig - Terra sigillata is a very smooth, lustrous coating of clay which resembles a glaze and is virtually waterproof.NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) - a government funded program supporting new small business owners. It's still happening https://www.dewr.gov.au/new-business-assistance-neis

Today we are at Rora's place and we are taking a deep dive into Kilns! Rora has a Gas Kiln and Jane has an Electric Kiln, we both got them second hand and have had our challenges. We are no experts, just sharing what we have learnt along the way. Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Our first interview!!! In this episode we are interviewing the all time great human Peta Berghofer.  We speak about many topics including working with clay, inspiration and design processes, teaching and artist residencies.Peta Berghofer is an Australian artist based on Giabal and Jarowair lands/Toowoomba, Queensland. Working with clay as her medium and the vessel as her form, Peta creates both ceramic sculptures and functional wares for daily use. Her work references historically familiar form and function, but she disrupts these expectations of traditional vessel-based, ceramic art practices. Whether functional or functionless, Peta’s self-referential ceramics are most often presented as the same body of work, exhibited as abstracted still-life installations. Here she plays with distinctions between gallery and domestic spaces, engaging with historic and contemporary tensions between art, craft, and design.Check out Peta's work belowhttps://www.petaberghofer.com/https://www.instagram.com/petaberghofer/Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas for Birds of Clay. You can get in contact with us [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Setting Goals for 2024 - where we're going in 2024, what we want to explore and how to find joy in the things we struggle with (including more reclaim chats - it seems to be an ever-present subject for us both!).Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas for Birds of Clay. You can get in contact with us [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to the Birds of Clay Podcast! Episode 2 is the part two to our introductions.  We go into more detail about where we exactly are in the world (the famous Lockyer Valley!) and what's going on for us right now.  Again, this was recorded late 2023, it's taken a while to learn how to edit and use all the tech.  We'll catch up soon!The group show we spoke about is on now. If you are in the Toowoomba, Queensland region you can check it out at Rosalie Gallery Goombungee until 3 March 2024 https://events.tr.qld.gov.au/events-by-category/exhibition/120466/exhibition-terrain.Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas for Birds of Clay. You can get in contact with us [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

Welcome to the Birds of Clay Podcast! Episode 1 is just a little introduction to who we are and our clay journeys.  We are good chatters so our intro will be over two episodes.  It's also taken us a while to get here so we are living in the past (we recorded late 2023) but everything is still relevant. We'll catch up soon!Please reach out if you have any questions or ideas for Birds of Clay. You can get in contact with us [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.Find us on InstagramRora @aurora_elwellJane @jane.orme.pottery

A little taste of what's to come - clay, chats and laughs!Episode 1 coming soon...