MEET THE MAKER

Following a sea change from Sydney to the Adelaide Hills in 2002, former business analyst and IT consultant Stephanie James-Manttan (above) followed her heart by studying visual arts and applied design at Adelaide College of the Arts. Today, she’s a noted ceramic artist whose work is exhibited and sold across Australia. “I wanted to major in sculpture, but when I had to do ceramics as part of my foundation classes, I changed my mind,” says Stephanie. “The idea that I could make something sculptural out of clay that I could also use was very appealing.” Her porcelain pieces are highly sculptural but also very functional, she explains. “I’m a big believer in making things well. When I meet people who’ve purchased my work, I always say to them, ‘Please try to use it – it’s a lot more robust than you think!’” Impressed bowl and vessel, $660 each, sjmceramics.com.au.