Salad Days Ceramics handmade by Lucy Leong
We chat with ceramicist Lucy Leong as she prepares for her Finders Keepers debut in Sydney with her label Salad Days Ceramics…
Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to begin your label.
I started working with clay around 5 years ago when I enrolled in a ceramics evening class. The studio I took classes at allowed you to become a member with 24hr access to the studio and equipment, I quickly became addicted and started spending more and more of my spare time in the studio playing with clay. I had been making ceramics as a hobby for a few years when I was unexpectedly made redundant. During this time I bought a wheel and started selling pieces to friends whilst I was looking for work.
I found a job quicker than expected but continued to spend weekends and nights making pots and slowly began to get a couple of stockists then launched my own website. As things have picked up in the past year I have recently left my full time job and whilst I am still freelancing occasionally I am now predominantly focusing on ceramics, which is exciting!
Who inspires you and your creative process?
I am lucky to be surrounded by many very talented artist and maker friends creating beautiful work. Watching their creativity, dedication and drive inspires me.
I also admire the work of established contemporary ceramics artists Frances Palmer and Paul Melser (whose beautiful pottery was one of the first things to pique my interest in ceramics), and look up to masters such as Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach.
Besides people, I am often inspired by the materials and silhouettes in architecture and the colours and textures of nature. I constantly get new ideas when I am out and about exploring.
Salad Days Ceramics are handmade by Lucy Leong at her home studio in Glebe, Sydney
Salad Days Ceramics handmade by Lucy Leong
Tell us something exciting that you have planned for Salad Days Ceramics
The past year and a half since launching my business I have focused on developing my technical skills and fine tuning the silhouettes of my pieces. I am looking forward to spending more time next year developing my own glazes and experimenting with some new surface decorations.
Salad Days Ceramics handmade by Lucy Leong
Salad Days Ceramics are handmade by Lucy Leong at her home studio in Glebe, Sydney
Name one resource that your label could not live without
The number on resource I absolutely rely on is CLAY, I could not make any of my work without it.
Tell us about your favourite product from your collection
I am currently really enjoying working on the terracotta and goldene pieces from my new collection, I love the contrast between the terracotta, which is such a classic material for pot plants against the shiny gold.
www.instagram.com/salad_days__
Salad Days Ceramics handmade by Lucy Leong
Salad Days Ceramics handmade by Lucy Leong