Del Hansen

Resides: Brisbane

Del Hansen studied art and design at Queensland College of Art in the late 1980s. Following her studies Del worked as a graphic designer and art director, and also spent a year designing stained glass windows.

In 2001, she began studying ceramics as Southbank TAFE and became totally obsessed with the medium. This was no surprise. As a child, Del spent all of her pocket money on hobby clays, plaster of paris and anything else that allowed her to make three dimensional objects.

As an artist Del has found herself unconsciously looking to nature for inspiration, and is particularly interested in the difference of texture between the inside and the outside of shells. She explores the elements of shells by glazing only the inside of her bowls.

The Shell Bowl series is inspired by very tiny shells Del picked up on the east coast of Tasmania. Del found their intricate patterns barely visible to the eye, but on close examination their complexity and sheer beauty astounded her.

Along with shells, smooth water worn stones also intrigue Del. This can be seen in the Sand
Swirl Bowl series. Here Del has tried to recreate the serenity and quiet beauty of stone.

These bowls are not merely decorated - the colour runs through the very body of the piece.

Stratosphere Bowl uses the same technique, but by adding blue clay the bowl takes on the appearance of a planet as viewed from space.

“As a small child, I often spent hours scouring the beach for the most beautiful shell that I could find. This obsession has continued throughout my life. Now with a substantial collection, I find myself drawn to the shell as inspiration for my ceramic work.”

Del has participated in several group exhibitions and creates one-off pieces for Interior Designers. Del’s work has appeared in The Courier Mail and Queensland Homes magazine. Her work is influenced by Jonathan Adler, Lucie Rie and Gwyn Hanssen Pigott.