The following is a review by Anne Taylor for the Wairarapa News, June 3, 2015.
Ceramics Revealed at Auction
by Anne Taylor, Wairarapa News June 3rd, 2015
Carterton ceramic artist Lisa Donaldson got her first taste of “production pottery” when she created 40 platters for the Martinborough Contemporary Art Auction held at the weekend, a fund-raiser for the Ruamahunga Health Trust and the Martinborough Community Centre project.
The commission from one of the organisers, Catherine de Groot, took her more than two months to complete and was her first experience of back-to-back kiln firing. The platters are also her largest pieces so far, at 35cm square.
“It was a big challenge,” she said.
As the finger food disappeared Donaldson’s platters were revealed and by the end of the night 25 of the 40 had been sold. The event raised about $75,000.
Donaldson, who has a background in geochemistry, said she draws inspiration from family holidays tramping in national parks and the Tararua Range.
“Ideas come from the natural surroundings, from what is right underneath my feet and what can be seen from a distance.”
She loves the planned and “accidental” possibilities of glazes, and used these to full effect on her platters to evoke ranges, eroded land masses and lakes.
Her work is currently on display at Aratoi as part of the Elements exhibition, which showcases work by members of NZ Potters Inc from the lower North Island.
It’s all happened rather quickly for this relative newcomer who took up ceramics just six years ago. She got part way through a distance learning diploma on the subject before concluding there was “only so much you can do online” and took this very physical art into the real world. She did classes at the Wellington Pottery Club and bought a kiln.
Next is a trip to Takaka for a workshop with local potter Paul Winspear, which she has organised with six other artists.
Donaldson will also be selling work at the upcoming Night Market in Martinborough.
