Real Living Australia - June 2018

Where the magic

happens James works

and teaches budding

potters in his Brunswick,

Melbourne, studio.

WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS... MAKE POTTERY. At least, that’s what the talent behind the eponymous James Lemon

ceramics did. “I found myself making pottery after a rough break-up,” James explains. “Throwing myself into work and a new

skill took my mind off it and allowed me to contribute creatively. There was a real sense of satisfaction after cracking the kiln

that I didn’t get with other creative outlets, so I kept at it. Eventually, it got to the point where juggling jobs, uni and my work

got too much, so I dropped what I could and started properly investing in my work.” The result is a beautiful collection of tactile

vessels and dinnerware that have become hugely popular, thanks to their smooth kinks and grooves. “I released my first

collection, Bump, a year ago, which was created because I am a very clumsy man! I got tired of producing work, only to knock

and then accidentally warp the symmetry of the form, so I just started doing it intentionally,” James says. “Everyone loves the

ergonomic and tactile element of my work; it really engages people. When I hear, ‘Oh, your cups are just so nice to hold’, I get

text this big grin on my face, because ultimately, tactility and human experience is the most important part of the work to me.” A

victoria kingsbury

|

photography

kristina soljo

real living

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