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about slow clay
Slow Clay is a term coined by the director of Craft Victoria in 2004, Dr Kevin Murray, to describe Jane's particular way of working with clay. He referred to it as "...Jane Sawyer's slow clay...like the Slow Food movement in Italy...is in healthy opposition to the the excesses of capitalism while avoiding the the negativity of harsher fundamentalisms... [she is] a maverick hybridist." The term stuck and does not describe a technique as some think, but rather an outlook. Jane's Slow Clay Pottery classes are underpinned by the ergonomically sound and ageless Japanese techniques of wheel throwing and then as students progress they move into uncharted territory exploring and innovating in an atmosphere of positive support.
Eight week courses are offered in Melbourne, Australia four times per year. They are an ideal way to learn wheel-thrown ceramics as it is ergonomically sound and the clay is soft. Using soft clay students come to know the ‘power of slow’, which means that movements are planned to be economical whilst having the most effect. Beginners start with a formal structure and gradually move to more self-directed learning as their skills permit. More advanced students may come with particular forms they wish to explore or they may choose to have a program tailor-made according to their needs or interests. European techniques are introduced to students when appropriate. There will be opportunities to explore off-wheel techniques also. Students have differing needs and, once enrolled, each student has ongoing priority of their place to continue for as long as they wish. Some students come to de-stress and make it part of their lives, others to gain skills to lead to a career or develop a folio for tertiary study, while others just want to have a go. Class sizes are strictly limited and enable one-to-one teaching.
- All levels from total beginners to advanced are welcome.
- Confidence with clay is encouraged as a basis for long-term enjoyment.
- Advanced students wishing to improve their speed and accuracy are welcome.
- Being a plastic material, playing with clay can be therapeutic as it reflects ourselves back to us quite directly.
Teacher Jane Sawyer holds a Bachelor of Education (Art) from Victoria College of Education and a Master of Art (Fine Art) from RMIT University. She has professional training experiences in studios in Australia and Japan and has been an exhibiting potter and teacher for twenty years. She has practised in Australia, United Kingdom and Japan and consults, conducts workshops, lectures and exhibits widely.
Please register your interest in Slow Clay classes here...