Meet the maker
Deborah Sweeney on making the switch from fashion to ceramics
What started as a sabbatical from her fashion label of 15 years has grown to be a new passion and full-time job for Deborah Sweeney. The Wellington-based ceramicist first tried her hand at potting at a workshop three years ago but during the past year has been able to commit more time to the art: “I make all kinds – vases, tableware, mugs, cups, bowls, plates, butter dishes, colanders, soap dishes, candleholders and most recently I’ve been working on a line of bespoke lamps.” Deborah works on a wheel and uses New Zealand clay that is blended with volcanic sand which, when melted at a high temperature, creates a random speckle. Her inspiration comes from other artists such as Barbara Hepworth and Valentine Schlegel but it’s her home and family – artist husband Niels Meyer-Westfeld and sons Lars and Romeo – that inspire her most. When working as a fashion designer, she focussed on
creating clothes she wanted to wear herself; now she only makes ceramics she would want in her own home. “We live up in the native bush in a treetop house near the sea so nature is pretty stunning here and also a big influence on my work.”
My favourite things: I would love to attend a retreat through Ruth Ribeaucourt who organises these amazing bespoke experiences of farm-to-table feasts, visiting flea markets in Provence, France or going on foraging photography retreats (1). I have one but would like to add some more of these Loop rings by Jane Eppstein Jewellery (2). A Togo couch; I would love to own a whole suite one day (3). I have a London-based friend Silke Heuer who is not only a wonderful jeweller but also creates the most amazing prints. I love this particular etching, Abstract II, available at greenwichprintmakers.co.uk (4).
See more at deborahsweeney.com.