Alice Potter Interview
April 16th, 2009 § 1 Comment
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Alice Potter is an Adelaide based jeweller who works out of the Gray Street Workshop. We featured some of Alice’s jewellery as part of a recent recycling post. Her work is characterised by her clever and resourceful re-use of discarded materials such as laminate offcuts, fabric, plastic, newspaper and magazine clippings. Alice has kindly given us a rare glimpse into her world with some wonderful photos of her working studio and process diary, as well as a very personal and insightful interview. Thanks for sharing Alice!
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(above) A playful portrait of Alice
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How did you come to be doing what you do? (eg. study, work experience etc…)
I studied Graphic Design at University before moving onto Jewellery (Visual Arts) and TAFE in Adelaide. I had always been interested in making jewellery and odd crafty bits and pieces (I decoupaged all the kitchen chairs when i was 12 and would buy $3 white sand shoes to decorate with puff paint and glitter) so I guess it was inevitable that I would end up making art. Half way through my Graphic Design course I knew I wanted to be a jeweller, so after the Visual Arts degree in January 2007 I moved into a well established and renowned jewellers studio in Adelaide called Gray Street Workshop.
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(above) Components for the bye bye birdie series below
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Describe a typical working day?
I have between two and four other jobs besides my own studio work, so depending on which day it is (I often do wake up in a panic and have to register what day it is to figure out where I’m meant to be!) I will go to work, either as the technical officer at UniSA for the Jewellery and Metal Studio or minding an art gallery in Adelaide’s CBD, and then walk over to Gray Street Workshop and continue with my own making for some hours. Sometimes when I have deadlines or am particularly inspired I will work into the night, but I don’t think I’ve ever worked past the 2am mark! And then in the evenings I will see friends and family and am notorious for being far too busy, so each night there is something on or people to cook for. But I like it that way.
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(above) Alice’s desk
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(above) Alice at work
(above) Book shelves in the studio
Can you give us a brief rundown of your creative process?
I don’t necessarily feel like I have a creative process… but everyone must I suppose! When I get an idea that really grabs me I quickly write down as many words and ideas and (bad) drawings as I can, so when I am in the studio I can remember the initial sparks of inspiration and idea drive. I will then get straight into making with the materials I will end up using in the final design (silver, laminate, found objects, gold – whatever the piece requires). This often leaves a lot of material waste at the end but I feel that I can get my head around the 3D aspect of the idea better if I can hold the tangible concept. I reuse all of the waste product anyway (rework and refine the metals, keep all small scraps of paper and plastics for future projects, etc), so I am not fussed about getting my hands straight into the making side of things.
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(above) ‘Scribble’
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(above and below) Pages from Alice’s process diary
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Where do you look for inspiration?
Everywhere. In picture books, antique stores, the people who travel on my bus, cheap $2 shops, graffiti art, rubbish piles, the lines and knots in my floorboards, my family, a misunderstood phrase or lyric, digital media, nature, history, old fabric patterns, photography, my ever growing collection of ‘stuff’, and my friends.
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(above) Plastic things to be cut up
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(above) Laminate cut-outs
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(above) Things on Alice’s desk
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Who do you admire creatively?
There are myriad of people whom I would love to meet or feel privileged to know. Lisa Walker has the most amazing and creative eye with her jewellery materials and designs, as does Helen Britton. Julie Blyfield has the most fluid way of working with silver and transforming them into amazing objects and jewellery pieces, plus has a great eye for colour. Sean O’Connell is just a beautiful person and makes everyone around him want to learn how to be a better cook as well as a better jeweller. There are many more artists whom i admire for many different reasons, but we’d need way more time and lots of coffee.
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(above) Earrings
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What has been a career highlight?
Working with some of Australia’s most amazing jewellers at Gray Street Workshop – Catherine Truman who started the workshop in 1985, as well as Julie Blyfield and Leslie Matthews who are also long time partners in the studio. Their unofficial mentoring is priceless and irreplaceable. Being a part of this workshop also has opened doors for me and my work that I would not have been privileged to otherwise, and for that I feel extremely lucky.
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(above) ‘I Used To Be’ Series, 2008
What do you like/dislike about the Australian design industry?
The Australian design industry is drawing its inspiration and ideas from so many different things. I feel that there is a good deal of boldness and courage to a lot of designs these days which is great to see. I think we all need to support each other and recognise the worth in good quality Australian products.
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(above) ‘Is This What You Wanted’ series, 2009
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Can you share a goal with us for the future?
To continue being as happy as I am and doing exactly what I want to do. If i could make all day every day I would be over the moon! The fact that I get to make at all, do exactly what I want to do, is enough to keep me pretty darn happy.
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What are you reading at the moment?
I just finished ‘Atonement’ (haven’t seen the film yet) and need another good book to go on with! I’m actually reading a Mills and Boon right now… I found it at an op shop and wanted to give it a go. It’s called ‘The Spaniard’s Woman’ and is horrible, but I secretly want to see what happens in the end!
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(above) ‘Messy Acrylic Brooch’, 2007
What’s your favourite piece of furniture?
A large green and white laminate kitchen table that used to belong to my grandfather, coupled with those decoupaged kitchen chairs that have been with me for 13 years [see image below]. I also am fond of a tea chest made by my great, great, great grandfather. The wood is smooth from generations of wear and sounds of the draw handles reminds me of my childhood.
Hi Alice, Its great to see that you are doing so well. You certainly are a clever chickidy!
Amanda (Adelaide TAFE)