Craft Conversations
Emily Brookfield is a Melbourne based ceramic artist and pottery teacher that began her ceramics journey in 2016. She will be taking part in this year's Virtual open studios, giving us a closer look into her studio and practice.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you became interested in Craft?
My name is Emily, and I am a ceramic artist and pottery teacher living out in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. When not in lockdown, I teach term classes and workshops at Warrandyte Pottery Studio, Bisque Studios and Northcote Pottery Supplies. While I’m not teaching, I am working from my home studio. I became interested in Craft a few years ago through a Craft Cubed event. It’s important to showcase different mediums, and I think Craft does a fantastic job at championing some amazing Victorian makers.
What are some unusual places you draw inspiration from?
I’m not sure If this is that unusual, but I tend to focus on the little things that impact us daily. Like our weird attachments, we make to a specific mug for our morning cuppa or an object that invokes a feeling of nostalgia or tells a story. Connection to our surroundings and the people in our lives is an essential part of my practice.
If we walked into your studio, what would we see you working on right now?
I’m currently finishing off some shell vases and playing with different functional forms on the wheel. I’ve not been making much through 2021 but instead expanding my knowledge and practice behind the scenes.
In response to COVID-19, a lot of people have re-evaluated the way they work. What impact has the pandemic had on your practice? Were they positive or negative? Have you adopted any new skills or techniques that you otherwise may not have?
Covid has forced me to sit down and look at what is important to me. I sometimes become wrapped up in the hype of social media and the spiral of comparison, so I have made an active choice to step away from pushing my work and going back to where it all began. I’m currently taking this time to work on my skills and knowledge behind the scenes. I’m so lucky I have a partner who can support me through this time. The point at which it has impacted me negatively is the loss of regular face to face connections with the pottery community. Keeping in touch with fellow makers in group chats and zoom catch-ups has been a good way to pivot during the lockdown.
Who is an underrepresented artist we should be looking at right now?
Me! ;) But seriously, I would have to say Alana Casey of Usagi Ceramics. She makes functional pieces and finishes them with a crystalline glaze. Her work is beautiful!
Thank you for your time Emily! We look forward to seeing you in this year's Virtual Open Studios!
Interview by Eloise Sim, Curatorial and Programs Assistant