Emma Turner creates delightfully quirky pottery in her garden studio, mixing form, colour, and a whole lot of character. We had a chat with Emma to find out what sparks her creativity, where she seeks inspiration, and how it all comes together in her fabulously fun creations!
Emma Turner creates delightfully quirky pottery in her garden studio, mixing form, colour, and a whole lot of character. We had a chat with Emma to find out what sparks her creativity, where she seeks inspiration, and how it all comes together in her fabulously fun creations!
You focus on what you describe as minimalist forms, with colourful decoration. How do you begin your process? Do you think about the initial form or the illustration first?
Form first, especially with functional wares. I want the vessel to be comfortable to hold, nice to sip from, refined and not too heavy. I might have a general idea about decoration in the beginning, but the process of making usually informs the decoration.
You have a wonderful eye for colour, and use a lovely combination of different hues on your works. Do you plan upon what colours to use first, or is it more of an intuitive process?
I adore colour and have to restrict myself not to use all of the colours on every piece! I usually decorate multiple pieces at the same time and having loose rules makes it a less daunting task to begin. Rather than completing one piece from start to finish, I'll use one colour at a time and that way the process helps to inform the final result. I think the decoration is more successful when I stop overanalysing and rely on intuition and muscle memory.
What does a typical day in your ceramic studio look like?
My studio is in our garden now. It's great to be at home and pop out to check on the kiln, or see if things are drying out okay. A typical studio day starts with a coffee and turning on the radio. I'll check on any work that's in progress and go from there. It could involve any combination of planning, drawing, preparing clay, making, trimming, decorating, glazing, loading the kiln or packing. No two days are the same!
Do you have a particular piece that you love to make?
It varies, I'll often get into a rhythm making many of the same item. I definitely have a preferred clay, terracotta.
What are you main sources of inspiration when it comes to seeking out ideas for your works?
I'm interested in story telling and how we bring our own experiences to art and objects. I've been thinking a lot lately about our personal, collective and genetic memories. How they shape the way we see the world and how they might influence my inclination towards colour and gestural mark making.
What is the aspect you love most about creating pottery?
The act of making. Keeping my hands busy in clay is a grounding, humbling practice.
If you could meet any historical or current artist, who would it be, and why?
There is an endless list of artists from whom I draw inspiration. I would love to meet Bari Ziperstein, the American potter. Her work is also very colourful but on a large scale.
Lastly, do you have a favourite spot here in Aotearoa, and what makes it special for you?
The West Coast of Te Waipounamu is underrated, rugged and gorgeous. The rivers are warm and the native forest is dense, lush and a deep, deep green. Lake Brunner is especially lovely.
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Emma Turner creates delightfully quirky pottery in her garden studio, mixing form, colour, and a whole lot of character. We had a chat with Emma to find out what sparks her creativity, what she’s into, and how it all comes together in her fabulously fun creations!
