Pottery artist Corina Horstra
Pottery artist Corina Horstra

Meet Corina Horstra

Corina Horstra creates pottery in her studio in Toolangi. Her aim is to create beautiful, elegant pots that are lovely for everyday use. She is one of many artists in the Melba Highway area opening her studio to the public on October 14 and 15.

Corina, can you please tell us what your creative process is like?

You need to be calm and focused to form a pot on the wheel. If you’re not centred – mentally and physically – then your pots will go astray.

As I prepare the clay for throwing I plan the pots I will make. I think every potter creates forms that express their personality. I am always striving for practical, but elegant.

After the pots are thrown on the wheel, the bases are trimmed to refine their shape. When dry, I decorate them using underglaze pigments and sgraffito (scratching lines). I generally like a colourful palette and the designs I create are always evolving.

They can be inspired by organic forms, but are drawn from a wide range of design influences, from illuminated manuscripts to Persian rugs, textiles, botanical and scientific illustration…the list goes on.

The work is then bisque fired to make it strong enough to dip into a clear glaze and the pot fired once more to 1220oC.

Can you tell us about your most influential piece of work?

It is almost impossible to pinpoint a single piece of work that is most influential on my pottery. I am always drawn to the pots created by Lucie Rie, they are a delight in their simplicity and balance. Grayson Perry’s vases are not only colourful and

I am always drawn to the pots created by Lucie Rie, they are a delight in their simplicity and balance. Grayson Perry’s vases are not only colourful and complex but hilarious and thought-provoking as well.

But the most influential concept that I bring to my pottery practice comes from William Morris who said: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”.

I try, with my pottery, to achieve both – making beautiful, functional pottery that can be used every day.

Meet Corina, and many other artists along the Melba Hwy, on October 14 and 15. Find out more here.

Check out other events here.