POTS OF GOLD
COAST ARTIST SU BROWN IS ENRICHING A TINY OUTBACK TOWN WITH THE POWER OF POTTERY
ACHANCE visit to a small indigenous outback community changed the life of Gold Coast Hinterland potter Su Brown and the people of Wallace Rockhole.
After noticing three unused kilns in the arts centre of the township the well-known potter offered to teach her craft in the hope it would help revive the small community and provide career opportunities.
For the past seven years Su has made the long drive to the Northern Territory community, 117km west of Alice Springs, for four months of the year to run workshops for the 60plus Aranda Aboriginals in the town.
“I suggested I could help them learn pottery,” she says.
Su’s endeavour has led to the creation of a cottage industry involving Aranda adults and children — and over the past few years their work has been in demand at tourist hubs at Alice Springs and Yulara and in private collections around the world.
The Aranda potters produce a range of bowls, dishes, pots, plates and mugs exquisitely decorated with artwork of the local fauna and flora.
Su’s enthusiasm and love for pottery and helping the community of Wallace Rockhole are palpable.
“I’ve found my cause: helping to grow this community and create a business which gives people dignity and pride,’’ she says.
“I’m the lucky one. I feel so rich doing it. It has given my life so much depth and such an amazing warm feeling in my heart.”
Prior to the project starting, the locals had no experience with pottery but had been painting and drawing.
“They are so proud of their work,” Su says.
“Even people who don’t do pottery come with their friends to have a look.
“The people of Wallace Rockhole are wonderful and welcoming.”
It costs $10,000 a year to fund the project which includes sourcing clay, materials, tools, equipment needed and also Su’s travel costs.
The first year Su funded the trip herself but the following year turned to crowd-funding for support.
She has run numerous successful campaigns and keeps her followers updated regularly via a newsletter.
Despite Su Brown’s passion for helping the Aboriginal community, the future of Wallace Rockhole Pottery is uncertain.
She says crowd-funding is a hit-ormiss situation and so far supporters for the Wallace Rockhole Pottery have raised the needed funds to continue with this project.
Su says the community did not want government funding.
This places a large load on Su’s shoulders, not only being their fundraiser, pottery teacher and technical adviser but also being away from her home and family commitments for four to five months each year.
But she is determined to see the project continue and Su is appealing to the Gold Coast and wider community to help.
Su hopes a benefactor might step in or a bunch of passionate artists may assist with fundraising.
While she hopes to continue to make the trek to the territory for as long as she can, she knows there will come a day when it isn’t possible.
Su tells Coast Weekend the pottery is part of the glue that keeps the community together and helps give younger generations a pathway to a bright future.