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| Lyn Bates |
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As a ceramic artist my bond to place is directly related to my pieces, both in their design and use of local material. Weipa, situated on what is known as the Western Cape of the Gulf of Carpentaria, is a remote unique natural environment rich in indigenous history co-existing with a huge mining operation. This contrast provides me with endless inspiration with obvious extremes – pristine untouched land and coastline/mining scars, monsoon wet/long dry, red bauxite pebbles/white powdery kaolin, flat featureless land/tall tree trunks – all begging an artistic interpretation.
My own conflict lies in the fact that mining of this unique place gives me the opportunity to live and practice my art, an ethical dilemma compromised by using bauxite and kaolin in an artistic application, a softening response to the mining process on the environment.
Developing artistically in isolation without formal training has allowed me to explore the qualities of clay with minimal constraints. There is always a sense of excitement in the unknown and the discoveries I have made along the way have contributed to the individuality of my work. Textures dominate my surroundings, nature’s marks leaving indelible imprints which resurface as I throw and glaze, each piece replicating these influences. I am drawn to close observations on my daily beach walks, small seemingly insignificant environmental marks interpreted with my hand. Contrasts also exist in my work, the delicate matt black with minimal decoration and the textural shino working its magic with the earth I inhabit. I have a deep sense of belonging to my place which is reflected in my work – I feel incredibly privileged.
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