Newspaper Article 1966 – Tons of Clay “Imported” From South

Tons of Clay “Imported” From South

Nelson clay is a frequent cargo on New Zealand coastal boats as more and more people turn potters’ wheels. Mr and Mrs Bruce Martin, of Hastings, are two potters who continue to amaze local carriers with consignments of “several tons of clay.”

Mr and Mrs Martin returned to Hastings yesterday after visiting the 9th exhibition of the New Zealand Society of Potters at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, where they both had pottery pieces on display.

Favouring stoneware, Mr and Mrs Martin had searched around their district for materials but had not found any suitable clay, so they now rely on shipments from Nelson.

Mr Martin is a radiographer and Mrs Martin is a housewife and mother of three sons, aged 13, 11 and 9 but their spare-time hobby is pottery. Mostly self-taught, Mrs Martin gave pottery lessons in Napier and Mr Martin claims to have learnt pottery from his wife.

Meals, they say, are eaten after work is finished at the kiln. They have also visited exhibitions in Wellington, Palmerston North and Napier.

“Apart from one or two hobby potters we are quite isolated,” said Mrs Martin. “‘It is marvellous to see other potters’ work and to visit their kilns and workshops.”

For “beginner potters’’ Mr and Mrs Martin had this advice:
“Have your own wheel, materials and kiln at home,” they said. “The only way to learn is to tackle it consistently, which is difficult if you do not have your own equipment.”

Mrs Martin was fortunate. Her husband constructed their potter’s wheel and kiln.