Queens Exhibitor 2000
Winner of the inaugural Bunker Bay Artisan Award 2003
Influences
“At the beginning of my career the deep cultural significance of and appreciation for pottery and ceramics in Japan and China certainly influenced my approach and was the catalyst for my love of creating well designed functional pieces which are a pleasure to use.”
Very quickly, this influence of ceramic culture evolved and merged with Ian’s personal love of bold colour, intricate texture, clean lines and refinement.
He began exploring beyond functional ware, creating ceramic works of art which allowed Ian to fully explore and unleash his creativity, beyond the need for something to be purely functional.
Ian’s journey and fascination with glaze development also came very early on in his career. As a young potter in the 1980s, he developed a deep interest in the time-honoured glazes of Japan and China. In particular, he was captivated by the ancient and elusive Chinese copper red glaze, produced by meticulous and time-consuming reduction firing.
This began what has today evolved into an obsession with glaze development, refinement and endless experimentation.
Ceramics is one of the oldest art forms in the world. The oldest known ceramic artifact, a small statuette of a woman named the Venus of Dolní Věstonice, is dated as early as 28,000 BC - found in a small prehistoric settlement near Brno in the Czech Republic. The first examples of pottery in Eastern Asia appeared in China dating back to 18,000 – 17,000 BC. (The American Ceramics Society)
Ceramic pots were used to pull water, store food such as grains and rice, and played an important role in many cultural rituals.
The simple and functional origins of the craft are a major influence in Ian’s work
Ceramic pots were used to pull water, store food such as grains and rice, and played an important role in many cultural rituals.
The simple and functional origins of the craft are a major influence in Ian’s work
Korea-Australia Invitational Ceramics Exhibition 1 Jul – 31 Dec 2025. Curated by Prof. Lee, Boo Yun Hanyang and Seoul Cyber Universities, and Avi Amesbury (International Academy of Ceramics). View the exhibition online here.
Group Exhibition “The Nature of Earth & Fire”, Bay Gallery 2021
Group Exhibition ‘The Fire Within’, Art Geo 2015
Group Exhibition ‘Artisans Exposed’, The Garden Art Gallery 2007
Group Exhibition ‘Spiralling between the Capes’, Vasse Felix 2005
Finalist of the Bunbury Art Survey
Vasse Felix – 2015 to 2025 (ongoing)
Yarri Restaurant & Bar – 2017 to 2025 (ongoing)
Supplier of ceramic gifts to dignitaries, presented from the Commonwealth of Australia and State Premiers Departments.