Making for Community
Villa Rustica’s ceramic studio is a spacious, light-filled building with views to the Moroccan courtyard on one side and rolling hills on the other. In this inspiring setting, Greg designs and produces his fine tableware and one-off art pieces. Although he chooses to work as a sole practitioner, Greg stays connected to the wider community by participating in local events and charities.
We recently spoke to Greg about how these events influence his art practise.
Tell us about some events you’re involved in?
I love events that bring the ceramic community together. My friend and colleague, Jo Norton, co-ordinates the immensely popular Empty Bowls charity evening on the Gold Coast. Jo invites potters to donate handmade bowls, and local restaurants serve up their signature dishes. In the festive atmosphere of Dust Temple, guests select their favourite bowl and enjoy a wonderful meal. All funds raised go to Agape, a local charity who do an amazing job serving the homeless and hungry in the community.
I’m also involved in making tableware for the Byron Arts Series Dinners organised by Lisa Cowan from The Art Connector in association with Byron Arts Magazine. Last November, Michael Zavros was guest artist at a Greek-style banquet in Byron Bay. The venue was in a beautiful space called Elements I Love where guests enjoyed an evening of fine art and great food served on my handmade tableware.
What impact do these events have on your art practise?
Events require a lot of focus with the pressure of a deadline that can’t be changed! Although I try to be organised, handmade ceramics is a slow process and there’s always a bit of a push in the final weeks leading up to the event. Events force me to examine how I can become more efficient in the making process and these methods are later implemented into my everyday making processes.
Events also encourage me to experiment with new designs and looks. For the Michael Zavros arts dinner, I created a classic white glossy plate and side plate inspired by Michael’s classical European taste. In the months leading up to an event, my studio is like a laboratory where I’m testing new designs and glazes. The new range then becomes part of my tableware range available in our online shop.
What’s happened this year with Covid and events?
Things have certainly changed with events being cancelled and postponed due to the Pandemic. An upcoming Arts Dinner with Lindy Lee, originally schedule to coincide with the opening of her retrospective at MCA in Sydney, is now rescheduled for January 2021. Although the uncertainty around events is frustrating, I’ve taken this time to research and develop new ideas.
What future project are you most excited about?
Aside from collaborating with Lindy Lee on art pieces for the Arts Dinner, I’m involved with an exciting pop-up exhibition The Potters Table on the Gold Coast. This event sees 5 potters come together to make creative tableware using the same clay and the same glaze. We’re inspiring each other as we see what each of us is producing with the same materials! The Potters Table features Megan Puls, Jo Norton, Craig Spencer, Frank Void and myself at Dust Temple on Saturday 28 November and Sunday 29 November.
