Esther McNaughton

From the moment I first touched clay, I knew I wanted to be a potter. My journey began at Christchurch Teachers College, where I studied with renowned Māori artist Cath Brown. There I learnt the foundations of hand-building, clay forming, and glaze making.

Drawn by Nelson’s reputation as a centre for New Zealand ceramics, I moved north in the 1990s. It was there that I met the wonderful potter Ross Richards, who became my teacher and mentor for many years. Ross taught me the value of refinement, patience, and persistence, and it is largely through his guidance that I developed my throwing skills.

In the late 1990s I studied ceramics at Nelson Polytechnic, further expanding my understanding of clay and ceramic practice. More recently, in 2021, I completed further study in glaze theory and practice through Otago Polytechnic. This has enabled me to develop a range of distinctive mid-range glazes for my domestic ware.

For me, pottery is about creating objects that are both beautiful and useful; pieces to hold in the hand and to enrich the rituals of everyday life. I am deeply committed to domestic ware and hope my work brings warmth, beauty, and pleasure to people’s homes and mealtimes.