People: Tessy King
Name: Tessy King (she/her)
Location: Yaegl Country, we’re on the Clarence River in a little village called Ilarwill in NSW, Australia.
Occupation/ Business: I make ceramics
Who makes up your family? Myself, my partner Keegan and our little Jack Russel Rooster. Soon we are welcoming a baby too. (Update: Roland was born a few weeks early, on the 29.1.22 at Grafton Base Hospital, Bundjalung Country).
What core principles / values inform your practice? I try to take my work slowly, making only what I need to sustain me and help take care of my family. We live quite a simple life and I hope this feeds into what I make in my studio. It’s important to me that I’m happy with the work that comes out of me and that my focus is on how it can be a vehicle for expression rather than a means to make all the money. That said, I am happy when my pots sell because it means I’ve connected with someone through my work. I might add that I am also conscious of never letting my practice absorb me, balance is important.
What are you currently working on? I’m working on preparing myself and my partner for the birth of our baby. There is a lot of reading, video watching and listening involved. I hope that with this knowledge we can feel confidence and trust in my bodies abilities to complete this massive undertaking.
What daily practices or rituals connect you with your centre? Cooking, drinking tea and walking. I find myself really switching off in the kitchen, I relax but am focused. It’s a similar feeling to when I’m working with clay. I like using my intuition but understanding elements of a process and materials in a way that doesn’t involve too much contemplation. Also I love to eat, so I’m always happy once I’m done. Tea drinking signals moments in time throughout the day for me- morning especially, I love waking up to my morning cup. And I’ve always found walking helps me to clear my mind and relax while giving me space to work through some creative ideas without the distractions at home.
What does community mean to you? Maintenance and care. Maintenance in the sense that there is effort involved in keeping community close and care because there is a reciprocal relationship there- not that it’s something that has to be evenly spread, just that care in the form of giving and receiving (time, energy etc) is a part of how we sustain ourselves.
What is something you're proud of? Having the discipline to work with the material that I do and continuing to pursue a creative practice when there is often so much self doubt involved.
An ongoing labour of love.. Tidying up and slowly renovating the little house we are living in.
My cup is full when… I open a lustre firing and am happy with the results, I’m a clay dork. Also, walking and being on the beach with my partner. I love to watch Keegan in his favourite place.
I am grateful for.. living in a tiny, friendly community, surrounded by nature with my partner.
Where can we find you (website, IG etc.)? You can find me on instagram @tessyking
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Lastly, please use the space below to share with us something that comes to mind – a poem, a drawing, a thought, a story, a book you’re reading – whatever you are sitting with right now.
I am reading ‘Growing up Disabled in Australia’, Edited by Carly Findlay. I love Carly and I feel everyone should read this book. It’s so important. Especially right now, a reminder that your community isn’t always your perfectly immuno-privileged partner or friends.
18.04.2022
