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Lea Durie artist|maker|potter

@mud.dept

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Beautifully designed & crafted Australian ceramics. Grounded in the earth.
Classes and workshops
Ngunnawal and Ngambri country, ACT.
Also @lea_durie

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New collection

Last one for 2024. I’m excited by this group and so pleased to put them out in the world.

Now available @thecuratoreum

I’ll be taking a rest for the next couple of weeks. Thank you so march for all your lovely comments, likes and purchases this year. Never forget how important that is and how much of a difference it makes.

I’ll be working hard in 2025 to bring more ceramic beauty into the world. I’ve got great plans.

Till then I’m playing with new ideas at my @canberrapotters art residency.

Have a safe and sane break and I hope you get to spend time with those who light your world.

Lea xo. by @mud.dept

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2 years ago

I’m 10 days into a solo Japan trip, with lots of planned and unplanned meet up’s with excellent craft loving women. I’ve spent time on tour with Kylie &Tiff @paperboatpress , gallery hopped with with @cindamanins_art and @leila_davis_ceramics and visited Shigaraki with @veronica.taylor_ceramics. All very fine ceramics people to spend Japan time with.

I’m noticing the small details, timber and natural materials, the beautifully made and the small that is in such contrast to our oversized normal.

It’s the details I want to take home with me. The things that don’t demand attention yet are irresistible. That attention to the finest detail. I will collate some of the outstanding ceramics and art for my next reel.

I’ve got another 10 days to go including a workshop with @shingo_takeuchi_ in Tajimi thanks to @artsact_

Lea so by @mud.dept

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4 hours ago

Because I can never make enough bowls.

I’ve got a small batch for my open studio next month.

I’m in Japan and have been working towards an exhibition but I’ve squeezed in a bit of making just for this event.

7-8 Nov. at Strathnairn Arts as part of @craft_design_canberra open studios.

I’m not doing markets this year so I’m looking forward to a chance to say hi to people.

Lea do

#australianceramics
#designcanberraopenstudios
#ceramicbowls by @mud.dept

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4 days ago

New work out of the kiln today.

Some of this is going to the @thecuratoreum tomorrow and I am starting to gather work for my Open Studio in November.

Lea xo by @mud.dept

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a month ago

We had a fantastic workshop over three days this past weekend @strathnairnarts.

Everyone had a fun time learning how to test, process and make with clay from Ngunnawal/Ngambri, Yuin and Kabi Kabi country. We tested clay that really wasn’t clay, and made beautiful work with clay that was.

We learned how to use locally dug clay and rocks as a clay body and to make beautiful surfaces.

Thanks for hosting Strathnairn Arts.

I have one more locally clay workshop planned for 2026 in December. It will be held in the beautiful bushland setting that is @s_mountainceramics in the Blue Mountains. There are only a couple of spots left for that one. Bookings are over at www.smountainceramics.com

If you want to know anything about these courses get in touch. I’ll talk locally dug clay anytime!

Lea xo

#wildclay
#potteryworkshop
#australianceramics
📸 @samantha_mackie by @mud.dept

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2 months ago

Lines and lines

Playing around with vase pairings from my recent firing.

These ones were delivered to the @thecuratoreum a little while back. by @mud.dept

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2 months ago

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3 months ago

This is a long one.

I always check out building sites while walking the dog here on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country. They can be great spots to find clay.

This is the most interesting find so far. Really smooth plastic yellow clay. Most of the clay around here is sandy and red.

Want to know what made me go back home for a bucket and spade? I walk about that in the video.

I can’t wait to test this clay out. I’ll keep you posted on the results.

I’ll be bringing some along to my workshop at @soul_clay_studios in a couple of weeks for everyone else to try too. It’s delicious.

Lea xo

#wildclay
#foraged
#australianceramics by @mud.dept

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3 months ago

Wow. I want to thank you so much.

Last night I put new work online and subscribers to my newsletter had first access. Almost everything went, with one lonely little vase remaining.

It’s so wonderful to have your support for my work. I appreciate being able to do this creative life every day.

I’ll be posting all the work at the start of next week.

In the meantime if you wanted to take a look at the store, the lovely lonely vase or even what you as included in the collection, please follow the link in bio or use this link https://muddept.com/collections/all

Thank you again. It means a lot.

Lea xo. by @mud.dept

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3 months ago

I made it into the studio for a little while yesterday to take photos of the new pieces. I even made this awkward little video.

I’ll be releasing these new yummy vases very soon, along with cups and other things.

As usual and as a thank you, email subscribers will have first access to the release. If you would like to be included you can find the link in my bio. Or through this link: https://muddiest.myflodesk.com/mrbyrymrtm

Best to subscribe before my email with all the details goes out tomorrow night. Thank you to all the new subscribers the past few days.

I’m excited to get some new pieces out to you.

Lea xo

#australianceramics
#ceramicvase
#australiandesign by @mud.dept

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3 months ago

It’s been a while. Im pleased to say though that I’ve got some new work almost ready to release this month.

I’ve made some new ceramic cups, including these I call mostly stacking cups. Mostly they stack. All my pieces are hand thrown by me in my Strathnairn Studio.

I love a modernist design with Japanese and Scandinavian influences and with echoes of the Australian bush.

If you would like to have first access to new work it’s best to sign up to my newsletter, which is linked in the bio. I always give subscribers first access. Usually there isn’t a lot left for everyone else.

I’ve also opened up postage internationally.

I’ll have some more work to show you in the coming days.

And I put a whole lot of workshop links in my website too. I’m ticking off the admin things this week.

I hope you like the new pieces. I’m so glad to be able to release them soon.

Lea xo

#australianceramics
#japandistyle
#canberralocals by @mud.dept

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3 months ago

Here is a tiny fragment of my experience of two weeks in China for the International Academy of Ceramics congress in Jingdezhen.

It was an intense time of brilliant ceramic art, thought provoking presentations, exceptional people and connections. And an impressive tool haul.

It was quite a late decision to go but I’m so glad I bought that ticket. These kind of experiences are the things that can set you in new directions, generate new ways of thinking and making and open up opportunities for the future.

So much to think about.

First though I need to recover from my first dose of Covid. Tools, ideas and memories weren’t the only thing I brought home. 🤧

Lea xo. by @mud.dept

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3 months ago