Public Record - Thomas Baker Artist Interview

Artist Interview - Thomas Baker 
 

1, Your story of how you went to Japan and lived & worked under great potter in Kanazawa, Japan in few years back are very fascinated. How do you describe your 'Sensei (teacher)’ was like for living as a potter in Japan ? Do you think you have lots of influence that passed down from him for your practice ?

I still pinch myself sometimes about my opportunity to learn from such a potter as my sensei, and how fortunate I was to stumble upon him and his studio. He is a very talented potter, and great teacher. It was clear he was well loved in the studio, and would always enter the space with a childlike charm.  Sensei was very patient with me, though strict, often showing me 'how to' only once, and then watch mem for hours until it clicked, where i would receive a very rare 'sou'. Our language barrier was a struggle, but I believe it helped us find new ways of communicating and definitely aided my focus, as I was unable to talk my usual nonsense ramblings that I'm sure would tire any other teacher.  His love of the natural world was very evident in his work, using techniques to express Clay's own voice. He would often strike poses in the studio to help reference how curves should flow onto each other and how it could change the pots statement, which i have carried into my own teaching style. His traditional style, and fascination with clays natural ability  has been cemented in my process, and I am still heavily influenced by his teachings with a large focus on his willingness to play.

2, What drawn to this clay world, your motivation towards pottery ? 

I had been woodworking for a few years since uni and was becoming increasingly frustrated by the tight and meticulous unforgiving nature of wood and especially joinery. I was invited to an evening class at ASP,  and was pretty hooked from then on. I think to then find a material that was so much about the feel, fluidity and supremely messy whilst still quite technical, it was just a natural progression for me. Now i'm becoming more interested in the technical sides, exploring clay bodies and firing. The ceilingless nature of ceramics keeps me excited, and i'm keen to push on and explore.

5, Where is the title of Star jumps came from ?   

 Its a bit of a 'nothing' title to be honest, no deep meanings. It came from the evening of firing Riccardos minigama kiln, and the Coromandel stars seemed to be jumping from the sky.  We had been throwing around title ideas for a few days, knowing eventually something would stick, so somewhere between the beautiful night skies and good company we landed on Star Jumps.


6, What ‘craft' means to you ?


 I think of craft as a vehicle, a way for communication to a narrative or experience. Perhaps a process towards art. I know its a big conversation, one with many opinions. Some people will argue that a craftsperson, say a potter who makes functioning bowls is not making art, yet the act of enjoying that bowl in my opinion, is art. So i guess what craft means to me, its an act, a process, one that may or may not end up somewhere.