KIRK WINTER

With clay as my canvas I harness nature's palette and fiery brush. One must sweat to turn clay to stone using woodfire. Time momentarily stops. I sing to my sailing kiln as it brings good promise. Many factors have influence: rain, storm, fog, wind, wood, personal strength, helpers, visitors. Supportive friendships are forged by artists who work together towards a greater goal. 

I use native clays and rocks such as Hallam fire clay, Axedale ball clay, terracottas and feldspars. Australian clay lacks flux; it reflects an ancient continent where the mountains eroded eons ago. When I form my clay I reflect upon the pit it came from. When I glaze my work I think of the difficulty of crushing the roasted rock and the mountain which bore it.

Born Frankston Victoria. Initial training, University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Education, Visual Arts, Ceramic, 1994. Career highlights: 1986 Deans Art Award, First Prize; Walker Ceramics Award, First Prize, Judge Peter Rushforth; 1995-96 Study tour Japan, Mashiko base; 1994-95, 97, 98. Production potter, Northcote Pottery; Pat Emery Award, First Prize, Judge Dr. Christopher Hedley; 1999 Grad. Dip. Monash University, Gippsland, Victoria; built wood fire kiln Cranbourne, Victoria, 2002. Exhibitions include: numerous invitational and solo exhibitions. Collections include: Walker Ceramics Award Collection; Manningham City Council Collection; Castlemaine Art Gallery; Bendigo Art Gallery; Kendon Museum of Australian Studio Ceramics and private collections in Australia, Japan, Canada, U.S.A. Presenter and panelist at numerous ceramic conferences. Conducted workshops and lectured on wood fire kilns, and ceramic art. Publications and articles include: ‘What does it take?', Ceramics Art and Perception, 2006; The Art of Woodfire - A Contemporary Practice, Owen Rye, 2011.