Ceramicist Vanessa Wallace grew up in Byron Bay, and says she cannot remember a time that she was not thinking about what to create or accomplish. “I have vivid memories of drawing Play School Gemima figures in 3D (ie. parallel lines and not stick figures) and being amazed how a lot of wiggly colours could interpret a fire. That was in about year 1 at primary school. The following 30 years has provided just as much inspiration, amazement, and learning as back then. I hope always to remain passionate and motivated, and to constantly stay connected through my heart, my hands, and my creative zeal – I can’t imagine being any other way.”
With a background in graphic design, Vanessa worked for the advertising industry for approx 8 years. She says traveling and working in the Uk for a couple of years gave her a taste for a more balanced lifestyle and better priorities. Upon her return to Australia, Vanessa decided to give up the office job and go back to study visual arts, something she had been wanting to do since she was little. She completed a Bachelor of Visual Art with Honours in 2007, majoring in ceramics. She has since relocated to Brisbane and has been steadily making ceramic objects and jewellery in her home studio.
Inspiration can be found in the most mundane things… light hitting pouring water, the water gurgling into a cup, the stain of flavour as a tea bag is bobbed, the chink of the spoon against ceramic, the plume of vapour rising above the rim, and the thrill of heat hitting the top of your mouth when you take the first sip.”
“I constantly desire plunging my hands into damp and cool clay, and it keeps me returning again and again to see what I can come up with next. I love white, I love porcelain, I love the imprint of fingers and unmistakeable handmade qualities. I love the hours of pinching clay and clearing the mind. My work hopefully embodies all of this so that others may enjoy the simple designs and lovingly made objects that have been swimming around in my head.”
