CLARE UNGER

CLARE UNGER

ceramic artist

Sydney, Australia

I received a message from Clare on Instagram asking me to document her work and photograph a few portraits of her for an upcoming book called Earth and Fire by the duo Kylie Johnson and Tiffany Johnson. It was an exciting project and I ended up taking hundreds of shots (as I always do) so that Clare could use them on her website and socials. The first thing she told me when I dropped my bags is… Read More

Photos I took that day…

“I'm extremely uncomfortable in front of the camera. I've heard from other artists that you put people at ease. This is why I chose you.” Ah! That’s my favourite thing to hear. Not hear that people are uncomfortable facing a camera, I think most people are, I am too; but that my conscious efforts to make people feel good in their shoes and relaxed enough to create very natural portraits or art studio atmosphere shots. That makes me very happy.

It didn’t take Clare long at all. She ended up being the smiliest and most natural model. She showed me her technique mixing needle work and clay. She pulled out beautiful sketch books where the projects take shape and stitch sample books where she embroiders patterns on which she will press slabs of clay. She has a special interest in Japanese sashiko which I used to be literally addicted to. Each stitch the size of a grain of rice.
These imprinted slabs cook in the kiln and become the matrix she uses over and over again for her ceramics’ textures. She has a library of them. Have a look at the full gallery of photos to get a better understanding of her process.

Each of her cups, plates, platters, jugs, spoons, etc, has a paper pattern, a bit like a dressmaking pattern. It’s a paper shape along which she cuts the embroidery “printed” slabs of clay and then joins some of the edges. And bang, appears a tea cup!

It was a treat to observe it all. I had a great time taking these photos. I hope that one day I will make a film of Clare’s process and beautiful studio. In the meantime, I’m glad she accepted to do this interview (below) with me. It was an opportunity to get to know her better.

Connect with Clare

@clare_unger | clareungerceramics.com

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INTERVIEW

• What's the story of your name?

  Well my name is not actually my real name but rather my married name. When I first came to Australia I was not working much as I had small children and it was easier for us to have my partners name for the purpose of bank accounts, medicare, drivers liscence etc – then when I resumed studying all my documents were in this name and now its just too hard to use my maiden name. Feel a bit sad about it

• Where were you born and where do you live now?

  I was born in Zimbabwe and I now live in Sydney

• What language do you speak at home? What other languages to you speak?

  I speak English.

• Please describe what you do.

  I’m an artist who combines a love of hand stitching and ceramics to make functional ceramics.

• What artwork(s) had the most impact on you?

  I was lucky to grow up with lots of art – my mother was an artist and my fathers family had painters and potters so our house was full of many artworks.

• As a child did you know what you wanted to be?

  I was very creative as a child. I always loved making things and I’m still like this today. At university I studied fine art.

• What is the most extravagant thing you've done?

  I realise I’m not a very extravagant person! I bought a new kiln last year and considered that a bit extravagant but it is something I use for my work so not sure it really qualifies.

• What do you love to do so much that it makes you lose all sense of time and place?

  Being in my studio working.

• What was your big break? What moment changed everything for your practice/craft?

  I’ve never really had that moment – it’s been an incremental process and probably just believing in myself and continuing to work.

• What is the most difficult hurdle you've overcome?

  Probably my own self doubt.

• What are you 3 most important values.

  Authenticity, discipline, and hard work.

• Is there anything (things) you collect?

  I can’t help myself picking up old furniture that people are chucking out – I feel like I’m rescuing it and all the memories and stories it holds. I have to stop myself because I don’t have space in y house!

• What is your most treasured possession and why?

  Everything I have that has a connection to people in my life - past and present. I can’t say one is more treasured than any other.

• What's your favourite dish?

  I love food in general but cooking and sharing food is most important to me.

• Latest book you loved.

  Daybook by Anne Truitt

• Your favourite music of the moment.

  I’m more of a podcast listener – true crime and anything relating to art or textiles.

• Name the absolute master of your craft.

  I can’t name just one - there are so many. My great great Uncle William Staite Murray is someone I consider a master of ceramics.

• Name one emerging artist you like.

  Ema Shin (textile Artist).

• If you could live anywhere?

  Zimbabwe

• Tell us about your most exiting or dream upcoming project?

  A dream would be to do a residency somewhere in Europe or Africa.

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