Estelle Martin (New Zealand) ceramics

Estelle Martin was born in 1930 in Southland, New Zealand and commenced potting as a hobby in 1957. Her talents were soon recognised and in 1963 she was selected as Exhibiting Member of Hawke’s Bay Art Gallery and Museum, and in 1964 as an Exhibiting Member of the New Zealand Society of Potters. In 1965 Estelle Martin and her husband Bruce set up a partnership named Kamaka Pottery and became full-time potter.

She made her first visit to Japan in 1978, visiting many pottery workshops and met Mr. Sanyo Fujii, and was impressed by his anagama kiln and contemporary anagama fired work. On her return to New Zealand Estelle Martin constructed her own anagama kiln from information supplied by Mr. Fujii, which had its first firing in mid 1982. The same year she visited Japan again and the following year Mr Fujii lived and worked with the Martins more... for seven months, instructing them in the use of anagama kilns. This resulted in a joint exhibition with Estelle Martin, Bruce Martin and Sanyo Fujii in 1984 at the Mitsukoshi Gallery of Fine Art, Osaka, Japan. Further exhibitions throughout New Zealand, China and Canada followed during the 1990s.

Estelle Martin passed away in 2001. Her work is held by the Hawke’s Bay Cultural Trust, and in private collections in New Zealand, Japan, Canada and U.K. less...