This exhibition has given me a chance to make pots that explore the biology of some of the typical phytoplankton inhabiting our region’s waterways.

Freshwater ecosystems teem with these fascinating organisms. Some are benign, others are definitely not. A focus on these microscopic plants has involved a rewarding discovery of lively geometry and has given me a chance to showcase elements of nature that are invisible to the naked eye.

The different styles of object in the exhibition carry different ecosystem participants. Each of the plates serves up a species of phytoplankton. The vases are the water carriers in the system. The two bird sculptures are stickered with motifs indicating that all creatures share the waterways. Nature is feral and moves across the boundaries of all these containers and agents. -Marion Familton

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I am an Ōtepoti-based potter working out of my basement studio. My work usually starts on the wheel as a vessel of some description after which I enjoy manipulating the form by paddling, faceting and carving. I am naturally drawn to pots that blur the line between form and function.

In recent work I have tried to relinquish some control over the final form and let the process dictate the outcome. Many of the ideas in these works have developed from random occurrences and observations during the making process; carefully including offcuts back onto the pot such as the skirt that is cut away from the base or the curled-up facets lying on the wheel. In this way I am attempting to bring elements of the making process back into the final form.

The pots are then left to the unpredictability of the soda kiln, accentuating the flame path through use of simple slips and glazes and carefully placed wadding. I also use personal taonga and found objects for simple decorative aspects to imbue each pot with its own story. - Ben Cole