Teaching at Slow Clay

In term three this year, I begin teaching intermediate-advanced pottery students at Slow Clay in Collingwood.

Established over ten years ago, by ceramicist Jane Sawyer, Slow Clay is a highly regarded Melbourne pottery institution.

A carefully designed developmental curriculum underpins learning providing structure from which students can explore their own designs when ready. Studio access times are also available for enrolled students.

I look forward to my Tuesday night class.

More information is available on the Slow Clay website

The Studio Potter Series at Bisque Studios

This year I have joined the ceramic teaching community at Bisque Studios in Northcote. I am hosting a series of intermediate pottery classes in this friendly light filled space.

Each course focuses on a specific form, offering an opportunity to dive deep into ideas and develop effective techniques in throwing, repetition and small scale pottery production.

Visit Bisque Studios website and join their mailing list if you would like to be kept abreast of all on offer.

Klytie Pate Ceramics Award Exhibition

The piece ‘Carinated Jars’ was selected for inclusion in the Klytie Pate Ceramic Award for 2023

This biannual exhibition “celebrates the artistry and  craftsmanship of Australian ceramics, showcasing the works of talented artists from across Australia and New Zealand.” It is hosted by Arts Mansfield at MACE.

Carinated Jars, 2023, stoneware clay, oxides and matt glaze

Carinated vessels are steeped in historical and cultural ambiguity. Meaning shaped like keel, the word carinate led me to contemplate the passage of ideas, carried through pots, over time and sea. These carinated jars have obscured markings, hinting at past events. They create a dialogue between the present and antiquity, reflecting on the channels of knowledge inherent to this craft.

Contemporary Tableware

Images of my work have been included in a Herbert Press book titled Design and Create Contemporary Tableware by Linda Bloomfield and Sue Pryke.

“A highly illustrated step-by-step guide to designing and making contemporary tableware in clay, featuring inspirational pieces by leading designers.”

The book is available through Bloomsbury Publishing

Pottery online

In 2022 continued restrictions on real life activities, as a result of the pandemic, has seen a global shift to the digital realm, with pottery no exception.

This year I took part in two online teaching events. The beauty of both being their worldwide availability, in perpetuity.

The Australian Ceramics Associations - Masterclass: Series 3

In Crafting Ware for the Table I demonstrate how I develop individual pieces within tableware collections. Ideas about approaching new work are delved into and I discuss, in detail, the qualities that are important in creating functional ceramics.

The masterclass is made up of three approximately 30-minute lessons, each with downloadable instruction sheets and a project to work on at your own pace.

You can watch a preview of the masterclass and book HERE

The Ceramic Congress: How to make a faceted cup

In this one hour workshop I guide students step by step through the process, with demonstrations in blending clay bodies, throwing and trimming the form, surface treatment and handle attachment. I also discuss firing and glazing considerations.

This workshop is great for those just starting out on the potter’s wheel and looking for instruction and inspiration. I also offer thoughts on finding your own voice in ceramics and potential alternatives in technique for those with a little more experience.

You can watch a preview of this workshop and book HERE

Apmere Mparntwe

It was invited to talk at the 2022 Australian Ceramics Triennale held in Mparntwe/Alice Springs NT

In our sixty minute presentation artist Ilona Topolcsanyi (Cone 11) and I discussed our careers, the successes and the challenges, and the key decisions we have made along the way to build thriving and successful creative practices.

Table settings

2021 has been the year of the dinner service. With Covid-19 lockdown restrictions across multiple states in Australia, people have been spending more time at home and taking pleasure in family, shared meals, good food and handmade tableware.

I have undertaken a number of dinner service commissions including this forty piece table setting for a family on the Mornington Peninsula...

And a thirty-two piece table setting for a family in Sydney.

Jam Factory Teapot Workshop

I was invited to teach a two day workshop on crafting teapots at Jam Factory Adelaide’s contemporary craft and design centre.

It was a truly wonderful experience , teaching and learning with a talented group of Adelaide potters.

At Home on Waiheke

A substantial collection of my works appeared in a Design Files article featuring the beautifully designed Waiheke Island home of a New Zealand client.

The home was designed by Cheshire Architects with photography by Jackie Meiring.

Park House

Salta Properties recently commissioned me to create a collection of stoneware bowls for settlement gifts to owners in the newly completed Park House Apartments in Abbotsford.

These bowls respond to the tones and textures of the buildings materials and keep in mind our mutual respect for community, individuality and purpose.

Gold Lustre Dinner Service

I have created a unique thirty piece dinner service for a private client including a bowl, side and dinner plate in stoneware clay and a cream satin glaze. Each piece is decorated by hand with gold lustre in five different designs.

Design Files

A studio visit from the The Design Files has resulted in an article about the progress of my pottery practice and the development of the Quarry Collection. A New Collection Form One of Melbourne’s Most Established Ceramicists features words by Elle Murell and photography by Caitin Mills.

Pozible

I have successfully completed a crowd funding campaign on the Pozible platform, exceeding my financial goal to acquire substantial visual display equipment on which I will present my pottery.

The campaign, titled Presenting Sophie Moran Ceramics offered ‘rewards’ including ceramics, branded merchandise, pottery workshops and mentoring and resulted in a surge in community engagement and interest in my work.

Teapot Workshop

Walmer

Commissioned by Salta Properties to create a site specific pottery collection for the Walmer, an apartment complex nestled by the side of the Yarra river, designed by Bates Smart Architects.

Green Magazine

Green Magazine , a leading Australian publication for stories on sustainable design, feature my work on a fifty piece ceramic dinner service for a private client.

Ivy Muse

Botanical ware studio Ivy Muse and I have collaborated to create two limited edition petite tabletop stands with hand formed ceramic vessel to house small plants, flowers and other treasures.

Photo credit: Annette O’Brien

The Cup Issue

My article on design considerations in regard to hand-thrown pottery cups was published in The Journal of Australian Ceramics volume 56 No 3. The four page article includes images of my Quarry Collection pieces..

Meanwhile In Melbourne

Five minutes with Sophie Moran was conducted by Manuela Millan as part of her interview series for Meanwhile In Melbourne. Photographer Caitlin Mills joined Manuela on her visit to my Brunswick pottery studio.

The Cup: a short film

In 2016 producer (and friend) Nadia Hume asked if she could do a feature video on the creation story behind a single piece of my pottery. The result was this short film by Story Shed.

Story Shed is a video production company based in Melbourne, formed by multi-media producer Nadia Hume and award-winning cameraman Matt Jasper.

The music is by local Melbourne band Ponyface.

The Cup from Story Shed on Vimeo.