Lynne McDowell

I am a maker of vessels and this forms the foundation on which I work.

ABOUT LYNNE:

Vessel Maker | Pattern Seeker | Keeper of Fire and Form

Lynne McDowell has been a maker of vessels since the late 1960s, when an early encounter with a working potter lit a lifelong spark. Decades later, that spark still burns brightly. Pottery, for Lynne, is a practice that weaves together geology, chemistry, strength, dexterity, and imagination — each piece a thoughtful act of transformation through fire.

Over the years, Lynne has explored a wide range of techniques, including celadons, shino glazes, and now, most passionately, mishima — a method of incising designs directly into the clay. These intricate lines are filled with coloured slips after bisque firing, then finished with glazes and metallic lustres. Patterns flow from flowers, textiles, and geometry, or emerge intuitively as she carves — "letting the knife lead her around the pot.”

A pivotal moment in her creative journey came while teaching with the Australian Flying Art School. Flying in a light aircraft over vast Australian landscapes, Lynne was struck by the patterns of water, earth, and light — the sun glinting off water like scattered gold. These memories now echo in her use of reflective 22ct gold, platinum, and colourful lustres.

Always intrigued by how audiences engage with art, Lynne has created modular works that invite viewers to reconfigure and play—transforming vessels into participatory sculpture. Her recent explorations into large slab-built pots and geometric forms draw inspiration from Mid-Century Modern design.

For Lynne, the act of making is both personal and enduring. Through clay and fire, her works become permanent offerings —waiting to be found, held, and admired by generations to come.

Medium: Contemporary Ceramics
Tags: Porcelain, Terracotta, White Earthenware, Incised Designs, Colourful Underglazes, 22ct Gold, Platinum, Colourful Lustres, Multiple Firings, Modular Forms, Mid-Century Modern, Mishima