Salt Rock potter says finding balance is key

Dating back almost 30 000 years, the art of pottery has continued to evolve as artists push the boundaries to create truly inspiring forms.

Thought to have originally been created by accident, it is said that pottery may have been as a result of fires being made on top of clay soil.

Earlier forms of pots were made by coiling and then pit-firing.

Today, this has been refined but it still takes much skill and practice which Salt Rock resident, Bronwyn Spence is fully on board with.

Bronwyn has since childhood had a keen interest in pottery, though she only started taking lessons in her twenties with master potter Digby Hoets, and has been addicted ever since.

“Years later, I started lessons with Anne Schultz who refined my throwing skills and taught me how to make my own clay,” said Bronwyn.

Today, as a member of Ceramics Southern Africa, Bronwyn has a small studio at home.

“All you need is clay, a wheel, water, tools, a kiln, glaze materials and glazes. There are many processes in being a potter,” she said, adding that you need to be dedicated to learning the skills involved.

“Throwing is not a skill you learn overnight. It is something which takes hours of practice and learning the right method and recipes for clays and glazes is imperative.”

Bronwyn believes her love of pottery has helped bring balance to her life.

“My full-time job in real estate keeps me very busy. My love for pottery keeps me relaxed and inspired and the two go well together because one deals with people – which I enjoy – and the other is solitary – a great balance.”

Her children have also been of help in what she calls her ‘side hustle’.

“My son and I have kept very busy making videos of the processes of pottery. He is only eight years old but might have a future in movie making. Both boys have also made some interesting things with clay.”

Bronwyn, who uses an electric kiln, said some of her favourite pieces had been made at other potteries where they practiced reduction firing.

“My glazed pottery are fired to stoneware temperatures. Reduction firing is an active firing that I would love to be able to do one day – very few potters can as it is not at all easy to do.”

Bronwyn’s work can be found at Willow & Ruby and Homegrown or follow her on her social media pages. Facebook @bronwynspenceartisanpotter and Instagram at @bronspence.

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