Clementine Underdown

How did you get into pottery?

In her twenties, Clementine was living in England on a working holiday. Her friend was attending night-time pottery classes, and Clementine had always wanted to get into art, so she decided to go along. When she returned to Australia, Clementine continued doing night-time pottery classes. Eventually, after doing an arts certificate course with a mentor, she opened her own studio. She also completed a 4-year ceramics course through Canberra university and worked as a ceramic’s teacher at TAFE. From a singular night-time class in England, Clementine’s life path and purpose swerved to follow the tides and turns of the pottery wheel.

How do you remain focused or inspired?

Clementine takes inspiration from nature, especially forms. In the past, she has looked at palm fronds and seen their potential as a potted sculptural form, or become fascinated by a leaf, and referenced it for a glaze shape. The beach, sand, sea, mountains, rocks and trees all influence forms and colour palettes in Clementine’s work. Her style leaves room for interpretation as she modifies and abstracts subject matter. She takes lots of photographs of things she sees, journals ideas, and is always consuming other artist’s work. Clementine stresses it is so important to play as you can often get bogged down or blocked with seriousness in an arts practice. The more you play, the better, she says.

What does your process look like when creating a bowl or cup etc.?

Clementine begins with an idea, often inspired by nature. A collection is not ready for sale for a long time, sometimes even years, as Clementine refines the inspiration, ideation, concept, pattern development and rendering of the pots before arriving at a final product.

What drives you to create?

Clementine does not know what drives her to create. However, if she doesn’t pot for a while, she starts dreaming of potting. Creating is how she makes sense of what she sees, feels, and hears. The saying “busy hands make for a calm mind” resonates with Clementine. Creativity is a mindfulness activity that she and many others are driven to explore for the sense of peace it can bring to life.

What is your dream project?

Clementine dreams of having an exhibition of pottery and paintings that speak to one another. She has not yet explored painting in her practice but is excited by the idea of exploring one theme in different mediums.