The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.

Function and Beauty (Clay Dynasty)

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‘Although pottery is made to be used … there can be no fullness or complete realisation of utility without beauty.’
BERNARD LEACH, 1940

The influential English potter Bernard Leach championed a new model for modern ceramics, looking to East Asian stoneware and pre-industrial European pottery for aesthetic standards. Leach found an enthusiastic following in post-World War II Australia. Led by pioneers who established a new functional tradition, Australian potters adapted his teachings, …

92/1536 Bowl, stoneware, iron glaze, Ivan McMeekin, Stuart Pottery, Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia, 1956
Bowl by Ivan McMeekin
c. 1956
A8194 Jug, stoneware, copper-red glaze, Graham Oldroyd, Wombarra, New South Wales, Australia, 1981
Jug by Graham Oldroyd
1981
A10721 Pot, earthenware, Ray Rogers, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1984
Pot by Ray Rogers
1984
92/1549 Bowl, porcelain, by Ivan McMeekin, Gulgong, New South Wales, Australia, 1991
Bowl by Ivan McMeekin
1991
2012/77/7 Teapot, stoneware, iron oxide, Michael Cardew, Bagot Pottery, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, 1968
Teapot by Michael Cardew
1968
91/174 Dish, stoneware, matt glaze, Milton Moon, Summertown, South Australia, Australia, 1980-1985
Dish by Milton Moon
1980-1985
A9881 Jug, stoneware, 24 carat gold lustre over a black glaze, Alan Peascod, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 1984
Jug by Alan Peascod
93/160/1 Vase, stoneware, shino slip, ash glaze, Chester Nealie, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, 1992
Vase by Chester Nealie
1992
A5634 Bottle, stoneware, made by Shigeo Shiga, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1969
Vase by Shiego Shiga
1969
A9249 Bottle, stoneware, Peter Petruccelli, Upper Beaconsfield, Victoria, Australia, 1981
Bottle by Peter Petruccelli
1981
91/2032 Covered jar, porcelaneous stoneware, cobalt / copper-red glaze, Christopher Sanders, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1986
Covered jar by Christopher Sanders
1986
2021/36/1 Platter, stoneware, jun (chun) glaze, Susie McMeekin, Katoomba, New South Wales, Australia, 2020
Platter by Susie McMeekin
2020
92/1558 Blossom Jar, stoneware, Peter Rushforth, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1975
Blossom Jar by Peter Rushforth
1970-1979
A9157 Blossom jar, stoneware, ash glaze, Higawari technique firing, Phillip McConnell, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1983
Blossom jar by Phillip McConnell
1983
2000/1/1 Vase, stoneware, potash / feldspar glaze, wood fired, Owen Rye, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia, 1988-1989
Vase by Owen Rye
1988-1989
2021/82/1 Floor pot, porcelain / copper-red glaze, made by Geoff Crispin, New South Wales, Australia, 2020
Floor pot by Geoff Crispin
91/2045 Vase, stoneware, tenmoku glaze, Carl McConnell, Pinjarra pottery, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1970-1979
Vase by Carl McConnell
1970-1979
91/2027 Vase, stoneware, tenmoku glaze, Richard Brooks, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1983
Vase by Richard Brooks
1983
89/716 Bottle, porcelain, celadon glaze, Col Levy, Bowen Mountain, New South Wales, Australia, 1989
Bottle by Col Levy
1989
A6612 Jug, stoneware, salt glazed, Janet Mansfield, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1976
Jug by Janet Mansfield
c. 1976
A9882 Jug, stoneware, 'dry' glaze, Alan Peascod, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 1983
Jug by Alan Peascod
1983
2001/63/1 Vase, porcelain, peach-bloom copper-red glaze, Col Levy, Grose Vale, New South Wales, Australia, 1990
Vase by Col Levy
1990