Where is it? 11 Byrnes Street, Newstead, Brisbane.
Describe The Ceramic House in a sentence. An open, light-filled
studio for teaching, selling and celebrating the craft of ceramics.
How did it all begin? Charlie: Going back 15 years, it started when my
father bought my mum a pottery wheel for her 40th birthday. We all
joke that he created a monster that day. And I guess a mini monster
in me, as she was never able to chase me away from her studio.
Tell us about your range of products. C: In our gallery front we sell
Mas & Miek Ceramics – a handmade range we’ve been creating
together for five years. Our love for clay and exploration of process
are the fundamentals of our small-scale practice. We chase
the fleeting moments of elemental chance; the slight change in
temperature or atmosphere in the kiln that splashes unexpected
effects across a glaze.
What else goes on there besides selling ceramics? C: Mas & Miek
Ceramic House consists of a gallery front and shop; a café; and
a large, fully equipped ceramic studio. In the studio we conduct
classes and workshops for all levels of clay enthusiasts.
Describe the space for us. Mieke: Our studio is an industrial
warehouse with great airflow and lots of space covered in plants – a
white oasis filled with creativity, reclaimed furniture and overflowing
with art, pots and books. The amusing thing is that this building
used to be a garage for stretch Hummers. C: We have two large
working tables for hand-building, sculptural work and glazing;
10 pottery wheels; two kilns; a slab roller; a clay bar; a kneading
table; clay recycling facilities; and a beautiful mezzanine area for
café seating overlooking the studio.Talk us through a typical day at The Ceramic House – what do you
get up to?C:During the week, we have unguided studio sessions
where we sit down and create our own work in the company of more
advanced students. In the afternoon and evening we run classes
together. Other than that, we’re recycling clay, loading or unloading
the kilns, prepping glazing, and doing endless other things that
consume a ceramic studio.How do you want people to react when they walk through the
door?C:I hope for people to feel inspired and ready to create.
M:We know a lot of high-stress professions frequent our classes.
People are looking for creative connectivity in our fast-paced,
artificial world. Time flies as they’re absorbed in working with
their hands in clay, and they leave a little dirtier, but with any
worries they brought in forgotten.With so many fragile pieces around, how often are there
breakages?M: Our motto in the studio preaches no attachment.
It’s only clay! Let’s not get too precious about objects. They are
meant to be used, loved and broken, eventually.What’s it like working as a mother-daughter team? M: Charlie
andI are blessed with a great relationship, and our connection
on a creative level enhances our friendship. But we have normal
mother-daughter banter and bickering, of course. Working with the
younger generation has so many advantages – for example, social
media would have passed me by all together.Any plans for the future? C: I’m excited to see The Ceramic
Houseblossom. Next year we have some amazing national and
international ceramic artists visiting and conducting masterclasses
in the studio.M: We have many plans – watch this space.
How should we contact you? theceramichouse.studioi love my shop
MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO MIEKE AND
CHARLIE DE DEYNE CREATED A POTTERY
HAVEN IN MAS & MIEK CERAMIC HOUSE.
mind your business