large bottle No2 (2008)
catalogue of composites
Welcome
Welcome to the website of Steve Sheridan. I am a Potter living in the urbanised wilds of the Blue Mountains outside Sydney. I have been potting now for about 30 years: after initial training and working here in Australia I took my family on an adventure through the Middle Kingdom of China before we ended up in the UK, where we lived and taught for nearly 15 years. In 1998 we returned to Australia and in 2001 built the Studio here at Wentworth Falls.
My Work
I am committed to the integrity of materials. To my mind the magic of ceramics stems from the process of transformation: the gathering together of fragments of rocks, ashes and clays, and blending them in mixtures which are then melted in the searing heat of the kiln to produce objects of fragile beauty for the delight and use of man – this is the potters art. For me this establishes an intimate connection to landscape, as a source of materials, and enables through the transformation of fire an expression of the particular character of each material. The pots that are a product of this process have a unique narrative that is enhanced by their need to be used in daily domestic life.
Recent News
catalogue composite
5:14pm Wed. June 3rd
an old friend Gary Moloney has been sharpening his skills in his new life as a photographer on my work. He has created some composites of images which acts to some extent as a catalogue, which he has published on his flickr site: flickr/com/photos/gee-em/
exhibiting at Object Gallery
10:33pm Tue. June 2nd
coming up in July will be an Exhibition at Object gallery in Surry Hills of a selection of Australian makers on a theme of \'Pourers\'. This should be a showcase of the work of a number of craft artists limited to objects allied to pouring - not that I suspect they will necessarily pour! ...drinking vessels do not qualify..
I have made some new porcelain pourers to add to my existing more traditional stoneware jugs and teapots
Respond | In: Exhibitions
Exhibiting at All Hand Made
11:05pm Wed. May 13th
The year so far has been about a steady stream of ongoing production, offset by some time consuming non potting distractions. Coming up will be a show at Helen Stephens Gallery (All Hand Made) in June. The exhibition brings together some disparate elements of my work: called Ashes to Dust, it will feature work that uses the fine fractions of the raw materials I gather for glazes. The range of ashes I have explored over the last few years is complemented by the fragments of rock dust that have been ground into glazes that are suited to the stoneware and porcelain objects I am fond of making.
Opening is on June 10th. at 6pm
2 responses | In: Exhibitions
Ongoing work
4:57pm Tue. August 12th
This year (2008) is mainly devoted to ongoing production, with some priorities being selecting stonewares from each firing for a show at All Hand Made next year; refining the porcelain white glaze for two-colour glaze combinations, and more developments of ash glazes. The latest ash comes from the previous two years mixed fireplace ash, and has produced a lovely fat creamy semi-matt glaze that shows its best character on dark stoneware clay
Contact Steve
snt@lisp.com.au
Phone: (02)47573515
The Workshop
 "Work drying")
Work drying
I'm very fortunate to have my workshop situated here on a hill above Jamison Creek, with a long view down the valley and the Darwin Walk meandering along beside the creek.
I built the workshop in 2001. It is constructed of mud-bricks, or more accurately mud blocks; each block is 600x300x250mm, which means the walls are very solid and give a fantastic thermal performance - inside it remains cool in the heat of summer, and in winter when the sun streams through the north facing windows I don't need a heater on till the sun goes down. It is a lovely calm and peaceful place in which to work, and each day I count my blessings in being there.
Contact me to visit the workshop and showroom
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