Newspaper Article 1985 – Mark is ‘hooked’ on pottery

Arts week

Mark is ‘hooked’ on pottery

Fifteen-year-old Mark Hyslop (pictured at right) picked up his first lump of clay in a classroom at Hastings Intermediate School and now, four years on, he’s still got clay on his fingers.

“That was it,’’ said the Karamu High School fifth former, ‘‘I was hooked, and I’ve been potting since.”

Mark, who lives in France Rd, attends classes at Hastings Boys’ High School every Saturday morning, but two or three days a week after school sees him at his own wheel at home or firing his own kiln.

Failure is something Mark doesn’t accept.

“I have just put a roof over my new kiln. I have built eight kilns altogether and although they all worked, each one has been better than its predecessor,”’ he said.

Mark has set his sights high. He admires the work of Bridge Pa potter Bruce Martin and would like to produce pottery of a similar style. “I bought my wheel from Mr Martin with money I saved up from an after-school job,” he said.

Mark’s interest in pottery is not confined to making, firing and glazing pots. He reads books on the craft and likes to go to exhibitions.

He likes to make things that can be used – planters especially. His latest is a pig planter which he turned on the wheel and is now sculpting into its final shape.

A present for his mother?

“No. My family are getting tired of getting pots for presents. I’d like to be able to sell some of the things I make.

“I would like to make my living from pottery, but people say that is pretty hard to do. But I have “another hobby bee-keeping. I might be able to “combine the two – make the pots and fill them with honey,” said Mark.