Artist's statement

Strong visual and spiritual experiences link the development of my work to place of birth and growth in Tapini, Papua New Guinea and then Alice Springs, Central Australia. I reflect on this early family life, translating these experiences and aesthetics into generous, textured and richly glazed forms.

The physicality and scale of my forms donates presence and sensuality redolent of human associations such as growth and nurturing, and domestic or ritual reminders. Landscape acts as a facade enabling me to layer and dress the body of my forms in abstract or metaphoric ways.

Mark making or carved patterning is used to echo my experience with environment and the materiality of Indigenous cultures. From Papua New Guinea I am reminded of the woven basket that I lay in as a baby, grass skirts, shell and dog teeth necklaces, pig tusks, triangular patterning of huts and the denseness of the highland flora. Central Australia reminds me of man made interruptions alongside the spirituality of the landscape, for example wire fences, train tracks and rusted metal next to gum trees; red sand; spinifex; gaps; water holes and mountain ranges.

My work is made with a combination of slab and coil hand-building into moulds, or is thrown on the wheel with hand-built manipulations. The surface is carved, slipped or inlayed and has multiple glazes applied through painting and spraying.

In my search for identity I play with the idea that nature and spirit are strongly connected and have influence over the other in understanding self. Childhood memories are precious, they make us who we are today and link us to tomorrow.