-a little bit about me-

I’m a ceramic artist based in the beautiful north west of Lutruwita/Tasmania. My studio is nestled in a native forest which sits alongside the pristine coastal village of Boat Harbour. Here I design and create vessels that encapsulate my love for the natural world. I draw inspiration from what surrounds me; native flowers, fungi, shells, and objects collected while beach combing. I work with a range of clays from the beautifully translucent porcelain, to mid fire and stoneware clays. I like to make my own paper clay which I use to make my more sculptural, and challenging pieces.

I studied Art & Design in the UK, graduating with a degree in Ceramics & Hot glass. I began a traineeship in silver & goldsmithing in the Cotswolds (UK) just after I graduated. In 2001 I put on a backpack and set off on my travels around the world, eventually landing in Australia where I decided to stay. I joined the iconic jewellery & homewares company Dinosaur Designs in Sydney where I worked for them in their silver department for 6 years.

I left Sydney and moved to the Blue Mountains, where I resided for 10 years. This was where I set up my first ceramic studio business which was named after the valley that I lived in, Kanimbla Clay. In these years I regularly attended contemporary design markets such as The Finders Keepers, Carriageworks & Handmade Canberra.

I now find myself in Lutruwita/Tasmania, surrounded by vibrant colour and incredible natural beauty, and feeling settled for the first time. I made the decision to change my business name as I felt that the original name was no longer relevant. Changing the name from Kanimbla Clay to my birth name, Helen Hay, gave me more creative freedom and felt like I was moving forwards creatively.