Clay working a dream for Bray
The annual Franklin Arts Festival is back in Pukekohe from September 2 to September 11.
Artists from Franklin and around New Zealand will be vying for a prize over many different categories.
Ramarama pottery and ceramic artist Margaret Bray is one of the many entrants this year - competing for the supreme award of best in show.
Bray works from her purposebuilt home workshop, Coulston Road Studio.
It’s here that Bray works her artistic magic - ceramic building, glazing and firing.
There is also an area to view finished pieces and Bray said work was now underway for a gallery area.
‘‘I was a photographer, then printer, then had a large family and sort of changed and thought I’d do some study. So I did the diploma of ceramic art in 2009.’’
Bray said she took to bronze sculpting work ‘‘like a duck to water’’.
‘‘But because the bronzemaking is quite expensive, I started pouring slip into them. Now I do a lot of slip casting ... anything and everything because it’s just fun.’’
Bray said she loved working with clay because it was a natural and earthy element.
‘‘My love of nature and sustainability is my inspiration, leading to all manner of clay building - by wheel, hand or mold - followed by surface treatments of carving, drawing and glaze.’’
Bray has four kilns on site, so she can use a range of firing methods. These include electric, gas and wood-fired.
Bray completed her own wood kiln build in 2013.
‘‘It’s an addictive thing to do - it’s really hard work, a real challenge, but the finish on the pots is really nice. The wood firing sort of melts the clay - it’s beautiful.’’
Bray is entering works into three categories - the large sculpture, pottery and photography categories - this year.
THE FRANKLIN ARTS FESTIVAL
The festival runs from September 2-11 between 9am-4.30pm at Franklin: The Centre and the Pukekohe Town Hall. There are eight different categories - painting, photography, print and paperworks, glass and sculptural, textile art, woodcraft, pottery and ceramics, and a youth category. All artwork is for sale. For more on the festival see franklinartsfestival.co.nz