Tête-à-tête
Connection and Clay. The work of ceramicist Samantha Robinson.
Nestled in the heart of Australia's Northern Rivers, artisan potter Samantha Robinson breathes life into clay, creating pieces that are both perfectly imperfect and imbued with the memory of her touch.
Guided by the energy of the potter's wheel and the subtle imperfections of nature, her work celebrates the beauty that lies in the everyday.
Samantha’s 25-year journey with clay, beginning in childhood, is a testament to her enduring passion and dedication to her craft. Her latest collection, ‘A Gathering of Circles’, made in an exclusive collaboration with Tigmi, exemplifies this passion. Inspired by the natural way we gather in circles to share stories and connect, the collection features five stunning pieces, each representing different earth elements and textures.
Tigmi welcomes Samantha's work as cherished treasures for everyday use, breaking the mould of art for display only.
Describe your ceramic work in your own words.
Perfectly imperfect when something is made by hand, there is always a wonderful element of surprise. Clay has a memory, and even the slightest touch creates a movement that comes to life through the fire. The Potter Wheel allows me to use the energy of circular motion guided into the centre of a moving vortex; however, if you look closely, you will notice that everything is always a little off-centre. If we look closely into nature, we understand imperfection's beauty and how everything works together.
What is your earliest memory of creative exploration?
Dying my Poodle 'Cuddles' fur with food colouring to look like a rainbow unicorn.
Tell us about your latest tableware collection 'A Gathering Of Circles' that you have made in collaboration with Tigmi?
'A Gathering of Circles' is inspired by the way that we naturally gather in circles. Friends and families open and close circles when they come together to share food, stories and special occasions. The wares are based on implied textures, materials and the elements of earth. The hand imprint details symbolise the marks we make on a daily basis. The Tigmi Collection has been created to be an offering for the everyday.
What initially drew you to using ceramics as your medium of expression?
The first time I touched clay I knew it was my medium. It made sense to me in every way. Working with the clay and fire felt like Alchemy and for the last 25 years it has been my “Ikigai" the Japanese philosophy - the reason you want to get out of bed everyday, that is the thing that makes me truly happy.
"Working with the clay and fire felt like Alchemy and for the last 25 years it has been my 'Ikigai' the Japanese philosophy - the reason you want to get out of bed everyday, that is the thing that makes me truly happy."
Can you tell us about any interesting techniques or tools you use within your process?
Every piece depending on what it is has a technique or process that is specific to the design process . Once a concept is in my head, the process of learning how to get it to realisation is where the fun starts. I work in all areas of studio ceramics and a wide variety of clays and techniques. Grabbing textures with dentist casting gel is one thing I have done to capture textures when travelling the world that can be imprinted into clay later at home in my studio.
Tigmi is Berber for ‘my home’. What do you hope your ceramic pieces bring to the homes they are destined for?
My main hope is that the work is used everyday or at least enjoyed. My Mother had a Vintage Willow Pattern service in a glass cabinet. I always wanted to use it and it seems such a waste that we never got to enjoy using it everyday. I hope this collection becomes a loved and used treasure in people's circles everyday.
While I understand it's challenging to choose favourites, is there a specific piece you've crafted that holds a special place in your heart, one that you're exceptionally proud of?
The Cathedral Series I exhibited at Tigmi last year was very special to me as it was inspired by my trips to communities in the Northern Territory. The collection was a culmination of a variety of techniques and processes I have been playing with for over 25 years of making.
Has relocating your studio to the Northern Rivers had an impact on your work? If so, how?
My daughter Fauve and I have relocated our Pottery to Clunes together. We are a Mother/Daughter team and this is a dream for me. My daughter Fauve had been beside my wheel since my first pottery studio in Bondi then in Alexandria. Now we have the Hinterlands around us and such a different community feeling. We are collaborating and creating new things all the time . The Northern Rivers is our home and we can't wait to see how the work evolves in this beautiful Bundjalung Wijibal Wibal land that we get to create on. We are changing within our new community and therefore the work will follow suit.
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Samantha x Tigmi's collection, 'A Gathering of Circles' is available order now, exclusively with Tigmi.