John Payne

Ceramics 17 March - 21 April 2006

John Payne's love of ceramics began when he was 13. He had a neighbour, Gillian Griggs who was a teacher at East Sydney Tech and she imparted much of her knowledge to John, which later became the foundation of his practice today.

John's parents wanted him to have a trade so John became a fitter and turner and he practiced in this employment for 6 years. During this time he kept pottery as a hobby but it became quite evident to him that ceramics was where his heart lay. John then made the decision to pursue his passion and practice pottery full time. He set up a workshop in an old disused chook shed at Orange Farm in Albion Park.

During this time he met Heidi, his wife who was visiting Australia from Switzerland. Together they both decided to move to Robertson in the Southern Highlands and there they set up the Robertson Pottery Shop. It was in this business that they produced mainly domestic ware and terracotta pots and they stayed there for 18 years.

Both John and Heidi felt like a sea change and a challenge in the direction of John's work and so they made the decision to move to Bingi on the South Coast. It was this sea change that brought about the birth of a very new and exciting approach to ceramics for John and the beginning of his venture into crystalline pots.

The lustrous, radiant glaze that John's crystalline pots exhibit are truly exquisite and rare. Due to this very uncommon, wondrous finish they are all unique in their surface and texture and no pot can be repeated.