"It is very sad when you see no contemporary ceramics on display in the National Gallery!"
Alistair works in porcelain because he loves the material and the challenge it represents. He is pleased that more potters are accepting the challenge of porcelain in Australia. His training embodies both western and eastern influences, however, he puts himself into the work. Alistair has been working over 25 years in his art and have acquired unique knowledge and experience. He believe strongly in the functional, and the enrichment ceramic art can bring.
Q: What do you make?
I make quite a wide range of work from porcelain right through to raku, however my speciality is hand thrown porcelain.
Q: What are your influences?
My influences include Leach and European ceramics, as well as oriental ceramics due to having spent some years studying in Japan.
Q: What is your working environment like?
Very peaceful. In the Victorian bush some 85 kilometres North East of Melbourne in the hills. A very clean cool environment well suited to making porcelain.
Cups and saucers - Blue and white porcelain cups and saucers,
hand thrown on the potters wheel.
Q: Which part of the making process do you enjoy most?
I enjoy all parts of the making process from the designing, toolmaking to the making finishing, painting and glazing.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you have encountered in your work?
This has to be the marketing and selling of work. This has to be the most frustrating aspect of the whole lifestyle.
Q: Can you survive on your craft, or do you rely on other income?
Survival from making ceramics is becoming increasingly a more difficult issue. It can no longer be relied upon and there is nothing regular. Other means of support are becoming increasingly necessary.
Porcelain beakers with under glaze blue decoration and clear glaze.
Q: Is there a particular book that has significant to your work?
I have a whole library of books that give me inspiration. There is no one that stands out from the rest for me.
Q: Have there been major turning points in your career as an artist?
Traveling overseas and studying in a place as different as Japan was a major turning point, however in recent years I have begun to consider that another major turning point is at hand.
Q: What have you learned as a businessperson over the years?
That being an artist potter can be a very difficult way of bring up a family and that there is a definite pattern to the year which means lean times during the winter.
Yellow Porcelain Bowl - This yellow bowl is a high fired yellow glaze
in reduction on a white translucent "Southern Ice" porcelain body.
H-12 cm, W-14 cm
Q: Do you see any business challenges specific to potters or ceramics artists?
Survival, and ongoing education of the public. We do not have the culture of purchasing or appreciating ceramics in Australia that exists in other countries. It is very sad when you see no contemporary ceramics on display in the National Gallery!
Q: How has the Internet affected your business?
Email has its uses, however beyond that the internet has done nothing at all for me.
Q: Where do you sell/exhibit your work?
Where I can and when I can. Skepsi’s in Melbourne have some pieces of mine.
Q: What would you like to be doing in 10 years time?
Sitting on a beautiful island enjoying the warm sun, though it is quite likely that I will still be making the odd pot.
Spiral Bowls - Blue and white porcelain bowls
with internal chatter decoration (tobikana).
H-8cm, W-18cm
Alistair Whyte
awhyte@valylink.net.au
www.jacorp.com.au/alistairwhyte
see more of Alistair Whyte work in VCG directory
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