In Module 1 we were taught to ‘throw’ ceramics. We were tasked with through six bowls to be decorated in Module 3. I liked the form of the bowl that became ‘Kiama’ so did not recycle it (at that point I had not thought about Module 3 or 4, although the bowl fits perfectly.
Module 2 taught us to ‘turn’ our bowls (putting on the base foot to hold the bowl off the surface). Again we were tasked with making a minimum of six bowls to use in Modules 3 and 4.
Module 3 was all about decorating these bowls with a theme, while trying different techniques (a sample bowl of techniques is included in the extra works). This was when I decided that each bowl would represent a different town I had lived in, along with any ‘issue’ (mental or physical) that happened in that town. These have been represented by the coloured ribbons glazed on the bowl, as well as made. These places are:
Sydney: my birthpace, represented by Sydney Harbour Bridge. No ribbon required.
Lismore: where we moved to and where my father was accidentally killed in a light plane crash. He worked in a plastics company making icecream containers (his design is still in use today); these are the blue cubes inside the bowl.
Kiama: living by the beach is represented by the hills reaching the sand. Unfortunately this is also where about 6 years of abuse began by a family member. This is represented by the blue ribbon.
Bomaderry: many school holidays were spent with my grandparents at their home. The abuse continued here too.
Inverell: my mum remarried and we moved away (away from the abuser!) Some of the best years of my life were packed into this town. Sapphires, waterskiing – friends I still have today. Great spot!
Perth: I moved there at 18 and ended up marrying. I loved the sunsets over the ocean, which is how I have decorated this bowl. There are also three pink and blue ribbons to represent the miscarriages I had, along with a white ribbon representing Post Natal Depression.
Gatton (first time): after 18 years in WA and a failed marriage, I came ‘home’ to my parents. I suffered depression and anxiety when I first moved to Queensland. They are represented by teal and lime green ribbons (firing slightly changed the colours).
Gold Coast: trying to make it as a single parent, my depression continued. Lime green ribbons again.
Harristown: realising I needed my parents, I moved to Toowoomba to give my children greater schooling and work opportunities. Still suffering with mild depression, although meeting the love of my life helped to keep it at bay.
Cloncurry: far north for a job that promised so much and delivered little. Some of our best adventures happened here. The sunsets were amazing and that is what I have endeavoured to represent.
St George: what could have been the perfect job opportunity was cut short when my husband had a severe breakdown, leading to a variety of mental health diagnoses. I also found out I have Type 2 Diabetes (blue and grey ribbon).
Gatton (second time): we moved back to be closer to the specialists my husband needed to see (his diagnoses kept growing, and each needed a specialist to confirm or rule out). A lot of other things were going on too, which lead to me having planned my suicide but thankfully, something (Someone) stopped me from being able to move and follow through. My husband found a gibbering mess when he woke up. I quit my job that day and finally took some time to process the last few years and get the mental help support I needed. Not long after, I enrolled in uni to the Visual Arts course, and it has helped me to heal as it is ‘my time out’.
Module 4 was to be a new body of ceramic works. I decided to show that even though my journey through life has had rough patches, I choose Joy . I choose to live. I choose life. I want to use my story to show others that they can come through the worst and still help others. So I have created multiple “Butterfly Joy” bowls, along with a ‘semi-colon’ small wall hanging (the semi-colon represents suicide awareness); a small heart wall hanging; a ‘Believe’ wallhanging (representing my hope and belief that this too will get better); and the final major piece, a large plate wallhanging using shellac and luster to highlight the word “JOY” (my beautiful daffodil yellow glaze burnt out more than I thought it would).
