Ceramicists Peter and Kirsty combine colours reminiscent of the 1950s to create a modern range of bowls, plates, tumblers and vases inspired by popular historic designs. The duo are part of a group of designer-makers with diverse backgrounds in ceramics, jewellery, photography and food. As well as hand building pieces individually, they use many other techniques from slip-casting to china painting.
What do you make?
We handmake ceramic pieces with a clear focus on colour, texture and shape. We like our work to be beautiful to look at, tough and useful.
How did you get into your craft?
Having grown up in the ’70s helping parents and friends who were involved in pottery and the arts, we have a natural attraction to this work.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
We have both apprenticed as ceramic artisans and have fine arts training.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
It is hard to isolate a favourite tool or process because all of our tools are so amazing in their function and necessity. The simplest thing in the workshop can be your best friend, like water which is such an integral part of all clay and clay processes and must be acknowledged and kept at the perfect ratio in all stages of our work. But we do have a special place in our hearts for mineral colours and the needle tool.
What techniques do you use?
Our main techniques include hand building, modelling and casting. There are many more techniques we use in getting the exact desired result in surfacing and finishing.
Describe your creative process:
Every moment that we have our hands on a clay, and often in the middle of the night or when we are just looking around, we are thinking of how it forms and evolves and what’s next for us in design. We have “primordial swamps” of ideas in our heads which are constantly forming new concepts! We then spend months trialling new ideas and sometimes battling, sometimes embracing the constraints of the ceramic process.
What inspires you?
We are inspired by re-perceiving everyday objects, the simplicity and beauty of the works of Crown Lynn, the style and restraint of designs from Scandinavia and Japan and the earthy folk colours from central Europe.
Is there a philosophy behind your work? Quality.
Describe your workspace:
Our work space is cluttered but with a strict functional order. There are areas of ‘inspiration’ with found objects, interesting images and hundreds of colours and tools to chooss from. There is a room with greenware slowly drying that has an organised, still peace. Then there is the ‘muddy’ making area that is a kid’s dream for messy play.
Your favourite feedback from a customer:
“There is something new to look at every time we come in here!”
What are you currently listening to?
We are currently listening to the National Programme, interspersed with Pete’s Lou Reed catalogue and Sonic Youth.
Recommend an album: Are you there? by Voom.
Your favourite childhood book?
Kirsty’s favourite childhood book was The Tiger Who Came to Tea. I love the art work especially the picture of the tiger drinking the tea from the teapot. Pete’s favourite was Tintin.
What are you reading now?
The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton, Mr Nice by Howard Marks
Your hero/heroine:
Our heroes are the Greenpeace warriors and Dame Whina Cooper.
A favourite quote: Keep on truckin’!
Do you have any pets? We have hand reared bantam and wyandotte chickens.
If you were a crafty superhero, what would your name and superpower be?
Mud man, ha ha! I have a ceramic bowl collection by Andy Kingston. One has a cleverly painted figure of Darth Vader with a clay pot as a helmet saying… “Come to the Craft Side.”
What handmade items have you bought lately?
Ingrid Anderson tea towels, a screen print by Holly Roach and a Trixie Delicious plate.
Peter and Kirsty work on beautiful Waiheke, an inspirational island of artisans and craftspeople. You can meet them in person at the Grey Lynn Park Festival on Saturday 30 November, and check out a beautiful range of ceramic pieces created by Peter and Kirsty in their Felt shop.
One lucky Felt blog reader will also win this set of three of their striking and newly designed tumblers being generously given away by Peter and Kirsty. To be in to win the set, leave a comment below telling us what inspires you about their work and their story. The draw will be made on Friday 29 November and is open to New Zealand residents only.
I love your taste in music and heroes. No wonder you guys produce such awesome nostalgic yet functional, ceramic objects 🙂
I dig that they listen to good music while they work!
I don’t know if i would be able to bring myself using their stuff though…wouldn’t want to break it.
But I would love some! ha!
Beautiful lines, shapes and colours- imagine how stunning their work space looks!
These are gorgeous and I love the colour tones they use – beautiful.
Beautiful! Would love some of these in my home. Would fit perfectly in anyone’s home.
I’m so inspired by their restricted colour range, beautiful work!
What inspires me about P&K is their work room; any crafter would love to have a space dedicated just for their passion. On top of that, I love the designs of these ceramics, especially the milk bottles; imagine if we all had these instead of plastic milk bottles!
I love that their pieces would fit into any style of home or office, the colors and simple style are just fab
I love their work. They manage to capture light in their products that reminds me of European summers. Well done guys!
I worked in a Gallery/Gift shop where we sold these beautiful products, being surrounded by these gorgeous tactile articles was nothing short of enchanting. They are made to be looked at, touched, used and loved…. the colours are mouth-watering delicious. They bring me back to my younger days when life was less hurried and stressful, how wonderful that your fabulous products can evoke such wonderful calming feelings. Every home should own at least one piece of your beautiful babies.
Really, truly amazing work. Love the little ‘imperfections’ in quality handmade items like this. I can tell it’s made by hand and not by a machine. Definitely the kind of kitchen art to show off for a family/ friends dinner! The colours are just so beautiful and would fit in nicely in my home! Love your work!
love the look, beautiful pieces and very functional at the same time. would love some
Beautiful stuff. What inspires me is their modern take on ceramics. It’s great to see handmade ceramic products in this way.
love the simple clean lines and muted tones … would love to buy quite a few of their pieces…stunning!
I just love the colours these guys use, such a peaceful muted palette, beautiful work!
I just love everything about their work, the colours, lines of the pieces and shapes, absolutely beautiful. Would put in my kitchen and work everything around it and then just admire:)
I love the colours and the lines, the smoothness of the pieces, I can see how living on Waiheke is an influence, there is a sense of peace about their work.
Great read. Love that each piece is handcrafted from start to finish!
I love these simplistic but beautiful designs. It is inspiring to see people like Kirsty and Peter working with passion. It helps me to realise that dreams and goals can be worked towards and achieved! If they can do it, maybe I can live my dream too 🙂
I love how you describe your creative process and how your work evolves. Inspires me to follow my passion – thankyou! All your pieces look of the highest possible quality also and such beautiful tones.
I have been coveting much of Peter and Kirsty’s work for some time! Adore the clean lines and muted palette… no surprise to hear Japanese design forms part of their inspitation – those tumblers take me straight back to my time there. Peter and Kirsty’s philosophy of quality is completely evident. Gorgeous!
I’m inspired by their love of colour, texture and shape. I agree with them that things can be both beautiful and useful, and would so love to have a piece of their gorgeous work in my home!
Love it, handmade from the start to the finish and no shortcuts. My approach to Christmas this year is to go totally handmade and support local artists, its worth so much more than cheap nicknacks!
I LOVE how you are living and breathing and working with your passion, this truly inspires me!
I love how they are inspired by the simplicity of Crown Lynn and their emphasis on quality. Gorgeous – fingers crossed I win 🙂
Would love some of this is eye catching but simple!
I love how ‘down to earth’ they seem (pun intended!). NZ is full of such amazingly crafty craftspeople – love that they combine simplicity with modernity, soft colours with hard wearing items. Love!
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! Stunning pieces and colours. I love the apparent simplicity of the designs. Great interview, I had a smile at the image of the tiger drinking out of the teapot, I know the story well as it is one of my kids favourites at the moment!
Love the range- would look great in my kitchen!
I am inspired by their care for the environment and how they could turn simple things from the environment into something beautiful and useful.
I already have some of their bottles on my desk holding paint brushes. Beautiful colour and form.
Love the simple yet beautiful colours and shapes! And love those milk bottles!
I’m inspired by the colors, makes me want to love by the ocean (even more than I already do!)
These are amazing! The colors are so nice, pretty and kinda calming.
I also am inspired by the care they have for the environment.
Awesome work!
What beautiful stuff.
I love the simple designs.
THe shapes and colours.
Just lovely
Alisa
There’s magic in the simplicity and colour. Love them.
I love the simplicity and the calmness the shapes and colours evoke
Simple elegant pieces of art that are neutral and appealing to all.
I love the subtle colour palette that allows the form of the pieces to stand out. the colours remind me of our old family Bach kitchen.
I love their description of re-imaging classics. Simple, beautiful, traditional, quality pieces to make your everyday life beautiful too
I love that the pieces created are unique, quality & useful.
The muted tones and the classic shapes are simply stunning. I love the fact that every piece is as practical as it is decorative.
Wonderful interview! I love the simplicity of their work – beautiful, well made products, in a lovely range of colours. That studio looks like the perfect space for working, super jealous. 😛
I just love the muted palette of colour they use, such delicate beautiful colours- simply gorgeous.
I am inspired by their simple and fresh designs and colours. What beautiful products! And to know there are others awake creating things in the middle is just wonderful!! Thanks for the great read…
After several rounds of petting their stunning wares I purchased a platter and a bowl at the Piako Fete. The pieces bring a smile to my face and inspires me to be creative as well!
Stunning work, it’s all gorgeous! Inspired by the colours and shapes…delicious!
What doesn’t inspire me about Kirsty and Peter’s work? It is absolutely stunning. I love the vintage look and feel of the milk bottles and the colours are just gorgeous. Everything about their work brings me back to earth.
Such a great interview to read (and watch) ^-^
Peter and Kirsty’s work is delightful!
I enjoy the simple designs and soft colours the most.
I purchased some of Kirsty and Peters “milk bottles” which are just beautiful in colour and design. I don’t actually want to win something but would love the chance to visit their studio and see how they make their fantastic products. Perhaps even get my hands dirty!