Denise Wright

Resides:  Coochiemudlo Island, The Redlands

Denise Wright was born in South Africa and grew up in Zambia, Central Africa. Thirty-two years ago, Denise and her husband Viv decided to bring their three small children to live in Brisbane, Queensland.

Denise’s fascination with clay began twenty-two years ago when she commenced a three year certificate course in Ceramics at Southbank TAFE. Following this course Denise undertook one year of Sculpture, one year of Drawing and Design and a two year course in Architectural Ceramics at Gateway TAFE. Denise continues to pursue her interest in sculpture, raku, glass slumping and lustre work by attending professional master class workshops.

“The field of ceramics is an absorbing and exciting one, which I am thrilled to be able to explore. Since coming to Coochiemudlo Island my work has been influenced in various ways by the beautiful environment, the quality of the light, the waters of the bay and the brilliant colours of the Redlands area. This can be seen in my current series of pots. There is constant inspiration to be found in this magic place. I love rich and lustrous glazes and find that the luminous look of lustre and gold work with its jewel-like qualities is very satisfying. I hope that my pieces will give as much pleasure to the viewers as I have had in making them.”

The design on each of Denise’s pieces is unique and follows the shape and form of the individual wheel thrown pot. Coloured oxides and underglazes are applied to the greenware, at which point some areas are sgraffitoed through to the clay. The colour is then bisque fired onto the piece. After the second glaze firing, lustre is applied, creating illusions of clear colour and light. The angle of viewing and different light sources changes the intensity of tone and colour, as well as the look of the underlying glaze. 12% gold, suspended in an oily liquid, is then either brushed on, or applied with a tjanting and fired separately. For each piece there are usually anywhere between four and six firings.