Jo Richards-Hooker

We had the pleasure of having a good chat with Jo Richards-Hooker about the process + inspiration behind her stunning ceramic sculpture.

When did you initially begin creating as an artist?

It all started when my friend and I climbed the next door neighbours fence and manoeuvred our way under the house where we began making amazing things with dirt, water, stones, sand and sticks.

I was about 3 years old at the time. I am doing the same thing now really but have gained some valuable skills and experience.

You are a multi media artist who works with a variety of mediums. How did you begin experimenting in each medium?

I have been very fortunate and have been able to attend workshops, symposiums and classes over the years. You get to know other artists and share knowledge, successes and failures and learn from these. I am curious and like to know how things work, and how far my skills can take a material. I have so much still to try out and understand. I did art throughout primary school, intermediate and high school, and was very hard on myself and the results were far from what I was wanting but I am resilient and persevered. As an adult I had a little taste of ceramics, then wanted to go bigger and went to stone, then discovered cast glass and I have always sketched and painted. At the moment, I am going much more in depth into ceramics.

Do you have a favourite creative medium you love to work with if you had to choose?

That's a great question! I love the variety of using different materials. Playing and painting with colour, the way light glows through glass, the connectedness and weight of stone but more and more I find I am really enjoying exploring ceramics. It seems to satisfy my need for form and colour, as well as still being challenging. It is a such a versatile material and has so much potential. I really enjoy it.

Your sculpture has beautiful curves and shapes that are representative of nature and the natural elements. Where do you tend to seek your inspiration from?

Thank you! What a kind compliment. I get a real sense of satisfaction when I manage to get a nice line or curve, so I appreciate when someone else notices that effort. Like so many of us, I love nature and if you really look at things you see more and more details and colours. I do love and respect the ocean and really enjoy walks among native trees so this is often reflected in the things I create. Life can be so busy, stressful and traumatic at times so it's important to me to make things that bring a feeling of intrigue and calm. It makes me feel great when I hear from clients and collectors that they really love their pieces and get a lot of enjoyment from my work. I want to contribute by creating gorgeous work that makes environments beautiful places to be.

What does a typical day in your studio look like when you are creating?

I like to begin with getting any basic housework done and ideally to have a walk or get some yoga in then I can focus in the studio. I tend to be more creative as the day goes on for some reason. Sometimes I know exactly what I am going to try to complete or achieve and sometimes it might be a day to test or try something out and challenge myself. I may have website updates to do or photographing of completed work. Packing and delivering to be done. I can be quite driven and might begin work in the studio at 5.30am or still be working at 2am. It is hugely varied so it's a great career but can be isolating. Being an artist has given me the opportunity to gain a lot of skills.

Do you prefer silence, music, podcasts or a bit of everything?

I almost always have music playing and like to listen to podcasts as well. Lately, I've been listening to Dr Chatterjee who talks about all kinds of ways of living healthier. I am also enjoying the Midnight Library which is about historic customs, sometimes quite morbid with a light hearted Adam's Family type humour. If I am challenging myself or have a tricky thing to figure out, I tend to need a much quieter space or gentler music without lyrics.

Is there a place in Aotearoa that is dear to your heart, and why?

Yes, I love Whangamata and all around the Coromandel. My husband Paul and I go there whenever we can. It's our second home. We really enjoy exploring with Rex, (American staffy, Rotty cross) and going on walks especially at Opoutere and Whiritoa where we got married. There are so many beautiful places here, we are spoilt for choice!