Featured Artist - Arts Canterbury

Emma G Potteree

About

Name/age
Emma Gillard - 54 (how did that happen???)

What medium(s) do you work in?
Clay - Pottery

Tell us about yourself in 50 words or less.
I discovered pottery approx 3 years ago and was immediately hooked. So much so I set up a studio at home, bought a kiln and not looked back. I really am an 'all or nothing' kinda gal. I only do hand building and just love the endless possibilities of creation it brings.

Who is your favourite artist (living or deceased!)?
Hard to choose - especially as I've been discovering and appreciating so much more over the last 9 years since my visit to D'Orsay in Paris and discovering more NZ Artists. But, I'm going to say my friend Kirsty Nixon (Auckland). I commissioned my first piece from Kirsty for my 30th birthday and have since invested in a further 9. All my art brings me joy every day. They all have special and unique memories and saying that immediately makes me think about the piece from a tiny gallery in Venice and then I think of the joy of the artist from whom I bought a piece at Montmartre and, and, and.... and I see them all every day and smile.

What were your reasons for joining Arts Canterbury?
My friend and fellow Arts Canterbury member Donna Coster recommended I join after telling me what a great group of people are in the group. That they are very welcoming, encouraging and supportive. Plus the great opportunities for Artists just starting out in the Exhibiting realm.

What are three goals for your art this year?
To find the time to create more. I started in Real Estate last year and it's rather taken over life and creativity time. To continue exploring the art of the coiling technique - it's incredible how it takes on a mind of its own and then to find more outlets to sell my work.

Describe your favourite piece of art you have created – and why it’s your favourite.
How to pick a favourite? They change all the time as I have evolved but I think the one that's currently in the lead is a large coiled piece that took up my entire kiln. It only JUST fit in to fire. I've called it "I Am What I Am". Too often in life things are deemed to need to be black and white and have a specific goal or purpose. Why? This is a sculptural decor piece or a vase or..... whatever you want it to be. I was honored to have won an award with a coiled piece at the Juried Exhibition with Arts Canterbury last year with a piece I was (and still am) very proud of and the judge commented it "defied gravity". I feel that this piece is the next level of that description - especially during the creation process of it.

Anything else you want to tell us - funny story, about yourself or your art?
As well as Pottery and Real Estate I love to read and cook. I owned my own Bookshop in Oxford for 14 years and my love of books certainly hasn't lessened. Our home is overflowing with them. And just to really fill up my life I took up Fly Fishing 18 months ago. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it'd be something I'd be interested in but I just love it! It is the most wonderful way to escape day to day and just be. For me, it's not about catching (as my nephew said "That's why it's called fishing and not catching"). It's about being in nature, spotting the fish, the gentle motion of casting and typically, walking a REALLY long way. No wonder one of my goals is to find more time to create pottery. Life is very, very full.

Contact the artist

Email

emmagpotteree@gmail.com

Phone

021 667 362

Location

Waimakariri