A few years ago Sam purchased a Julian Hocking artwork from us which incited her passion for collecting art. Since then, we have loved following her eclectic world which is full of cats, books and art. We caught up with Sam not long after she moved into a new home in Collingwood about some of her favourite pieces, as well as what drives her own creative practice.
Photography by Ashley Ludkin.Â
Tell us a bit about your ceramic practice. What drew you to this medium, and how has your practice evolved since you started?
Ceramics became my medium after a friend suggested I attend a community class with her weekly in 2018. I was in the throes of battling my depression/ bad mental health and she thought this might be a great outlet in a safe space. From there, I began creating on my bedroom floor, surrounded by cats or friends and it just became my solace from the world. Evolution for me has taken the form of better mental health and my signature style has helped so much with that, allowing me to take comfort and shelter behind what is second nature to me now. Otherwise, I've been (extremely) slowly adding fruit to my vessels but I hope to expand on my checks and more in 2025.
Your process of hand painting small scale checks onto vessels looks like a slow and meditative process. Could you talk a bit about this process?
It's certainly slow and requires a steady hand. Once I've made a piece, I let it dry completely, then I'll smooth it out everywhere and begin painting on each small square, one by tiny one. After I've finished painting, I drive it to a kiln to bisque fire the works, drive it back home, finish it off with a clear coat of glaze to make it ready for a final fire which means it's perfect for using with flowers or coffee etc. It's both mindful and mindless. I can sit in absolute quiet and ponder my thoughts uninterrupted or I can tune my thoughts out and get lost in a film when the world inside my head becomes too loud. Overtime, the shape of each square didn't feel like I needed to think where I'd paint it. It became very natural and I'm grateful I found an outlet for my mental health I adore so profoundly.
Your home is full of wonderful pieces of art, including many you have created yourself. Could you pick 3 of your favourite pieces in your collection and tell us why you love them?
I would probably choose a self portrait I painted back in 2018 is my absolute favourite painting of mine. I also love my Christina Zimpel painting as I'm a big fan of her playfully colourful and wonderful works. I'm also obsessed with my own large vase/bowl as it's my biggest ceramic creation yet and it was so fun to make it! And I bought this little ceramic man from this obscure shop in Japan which my wonderful friend showed to me and I was instantly drawn to his quirky, childish shape and build.
What was the first piece of art you ever bought?
I actually think it might have been my beloved diptych by Julian Hocking which was from one of the first collections Sunday Salon launched! Prior to that, I mostly bought a few art books here and there or had been painting my own works so this piece is very dear to me as it started my official addiction.
You have just moved into this new space in Collingwood. What are some of your home comforts that make it feel like home already?
Aside from my two housemates and our three cats, I'd have to say having comforting ceramics in random nooks of the house make me feel at home because they're such a part of me having poured so much in to them. And then having my books near also adds to my sense of belonging. Books are very important in making me feel at home even if I'm not in a reading mood.
