Brett makes ceramics in a range of different ways – slip-cast, wheel-thrown and hand-built, fired at different temperatures in both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres.

Over the decades Brett has been influenced by different fashions and philosophies, by amazing ceramic pieces, by friends and teachers, and by interesting developments in materials and equipment. His first formal ceramic training was at Otago Polytech in New Zealand in 1980, and more recently he completed a doctorate at Sydney University.
 
One recent direction has been to spend much more time on design and decoration, and to see how a single form can be transformed by different decorating choices. In artistic terms this is possibly best described as an interest in formalism. There is pattern and symbol rather than narrative, with the pieces having geometrically defined curves, and layered surface effects that benefit from controlled preparation combined with the gifts of the fire.
 
The pieces are designed to be used – for displaying flowers, for serving food, and for decorating space.

www.brettsmout.com
@ceramic.ocean
[email protected]
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