Gwyn Hanssen Pigott OAM (1935–2013) was an Australian ceramic artist. She was one of Australia’s most significant contemporary artists. By the time she died she was regarded as “one of the world’s greatest contemporary potters”. She worked in Australia, England, Europe, the US, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.

Here is her obit in the Guardian which makes for an interesting read.

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/jul/11/gwyn-hanssen-pigott

Atrisan Gallery is holding an exhibition called ODE TO GWEN to honour her work and showcase the new ceramicists who are walking in her path. There are 12 in the exhibition. I have chosen some favourites to share with you.

Anwen Thomas from the Sunshine Coast showing high fired stoneware finished with handmade glazes.

Michael Shaw from Redlands, Queensland works with reclaimed studio clay and locally foraged materials. He has developed an eucalyptus wood ash glaze using materials collected from home.

Raquel Diniz Brisbane Queensland. Born in Portugal but now in Brisbane she concentrates on ceramics and hand building to create playful shapes, clay bodies and glazes.

Donalee Moriarty from Ipswich in Queensland. She hand builds geometric forms and then subjects them to saggar firing which leaves its mark in smoke, flame and form.

Amber Winter – what a name

Brisbane, Queensland, a potter and glaze chemist she primarily wheel throws with porcelain glaze. Her particular focus is on mark making and depth in ceramic surface. They were my absolute favourites.

My photos don’t do justice to the amazing patterns, like bursts of blossoms below the surface of the glaze. They were all so delicate and beautiful. I was drawn to this one and looked at the price, a mere $9,999. 00 in case you are tempted. There are others which are more affordable. Setting a price on an artwork is always challenging, but having the freedom to admire them is priceless.

https://artisan.org.au/blogs/current-exhibitions/ode-to-gwyn

On until the 25th September 2025.