Pottery, passion and a new beginning in Matakana
Photos Shayna Quinn-Bowyer
Brendan Adams has been making a living from pottery for over 30 years. Most of that time was spent in his Point Chevalier home studio where he and his wife, Kathryn, established themselves as an important part of the Auckland pottery scene. In 2019 the couple realised they had reached a transition, Point Chevalier had changed and their children had left home. It was time to find a new way to live.
After searching and imagining themselves in different locations, the area that most stood out, with its relaxed lifestyle and the many creatives living and working in the area, was Mahurangi. One of the first tasks on Brendan's agenda was setting up his pottery studio in his new Matakana home, but he found himself pleasantly distracted by an unexpected preoccupation; gardening.
When he embarked on his journey to Matakana, cultivating a garden wasn't high on his list of priorities. However, transforming the overgrown garden into a flourishing native bush and vegetable garden, has been a great source of pleasure.
Early on, Brendan’s pottery work focused on producing bright coloured, decorative slip cast ceramics, originally using Crown Lynn clay. This was a great process to produce domestic wares on a scale that he could make a living from. Over the years he has been drawn to more hands on wheel work. Each work that he has produced has always been unique, either with hand decoration or glazing.
Alongside this Brendan has always created sculptural pieces utilising other materials with ceramics, such as steel, brass, aluminium and wood. These works have been sold and exhibited in galleries throughout New Zealand, and in major competitions and exhibitions where he has won several awards.
He is represented in Auckland Museum, Arts House Trust, and other regional and private collections. Brendan is carrying on developing concepts and themes in his sculptural work. He has an exhibition at Art By The Sea in Takapuna which opens Saturday 11 November. This exhibition will consist of a series of unlikely cars and is referencing the couple's ongoing journey through life, carrying their personal narratives and possessions along the way.
Brendan has a good existing relationship with the Matakana art gallery, Art Form, known for its commitment to showcasing exceptional local talent. Brendan is keen to have his new pottery and sculptural pieces displayed, each bearing the hallmark of his distinct style; Art Form allows both locals and visitors to appreciate and acquire his beautiful works.