I am a ceramic artist principally concerned with making domestic ware. Success for me is seeing my pieces used and loved, to arrange flowers or sticks in, to drink coffee and tea out of, or to eat from. I take time to create an object of beauty to be used by others in their daily lives. I am drawn to the intrinsic humility of the ceramic process. I can make functional objects from the earth, with the help of water, air and fire.
I understand no two firings are identical. This was a source of frustration, but now as I mature as a ceramic artist I have allowed my work to subject itself to the infinite variables that influence the end result. Ceramics can be tedious with it trials and disasters, but when there is magic, it is completely worth it, and I am humbled by the process that produces it.
I love the solitude, space and the sounds of the natural landscape around me – this gives me equal parts of inspiration and the meditative concentration required in the process driven practice of conceiving, making and finishing my ceramic pieces.
Here, I am exploring the traditional Chinese ginger jar shape, using different clays and glazes to get different surface textures and colours. This jar has a traditional Japanese oribe glaze, which is also reminiscent of green glazes used in French provincial pottery. The piece has a rustic patina from the the way the glaze sits on this clay, and includes evidence of my finger marks where the pot was held while applying the glaze. I have made several of these jars over the last year or so; and I wanted to approach a state of freedom and abandonment with the jars, rather than feeling constrained and tight.
I am a regional ceramic artist working on Gundungurra country, near Ngunawal country just north of the shores of Weewera, or Lake George, Collector. (between Goulburn and Canberra.)
EXPERIENCE
2021
– Participant in a Regional Artist Mentorship Programme run by cementa Inc.
– ‘Earthbound’: group show at the Goulburn Regional art Gallery (you see a tour of the show via Instagram TV)
2020 November
Coming Together, Helen Stephens Gallery
Joint exhibition of Kate McKay, Robbie Howard and Alan Howard
2015-current – Collector Studio
Extensive studio practice, Collector Shearing Shed Studio
2016-current
Collector Wines
Cellar Door Manager, including outlet to retail Kate McKay ceramics
2010-2014
Lynwood Preserves
Maker and owner of hand-crafted preserves and jams
2002-2009
Lynwood Café, Collector
Intimately involved in family business, including production and use of ceramics in the restaurant.
2003- 2006
Founding member, Collector Village Pumpkin Festival Committee
2002
Studio Assistant, Anders Ousback Ceramic Studio, Wombarra
1997
Graduate Exhibition, Canberra School of Art, Australian National University
EDUCATION
1997
Graduate Diploma of Fine Art
Australian National University
Majoring in Ceramics
1993
Year 12 HSC.
