THERE’S a certain irony that the King Island Porcelain Painters group is coming to an end when pottery painting – ceramics, porcelain and china – is a major 2024 trend on social media platforms, with clips having millions (if not billions) of views.
Creating original homewares and functional artworks that are not factory mass-produced is on the rebound.
A group of dedicated women met at Mary Bell’s house in 1993, to discuss their shared passion for porcelain painting. Their resident tutor, Charlotte Denton, had left the island and they felt compelled to ensure the continuation of their beloved craft.
Mary Bell, Dorothy Perry,
Tess Cooper, Rosalyn Wright, Nance Larkey, Elizabeth Lindsay, Penny Watt, Sister Monica, Helen Freeman, Eileen Hughson and Margaret Richards attended the inaugural Porcelain Painters meeting in 1993.
“The young soldiers’ settler wives wanted a creative outlet and porcelain painting was popular and we wanted the art form to continue when our tutor Charlotte left the island. We organised visiting tutors and workshops and decided to continue as a group,” Mary said.
Little did they know, this moment marked the inception of a remarkable journey spanning three decades.
The early years focussed on finding a suitable space to foster their creativity. They found refuge in the old SES building on Meech Street, affectionately dubbed the “Porcelain Painters” studio. The studio quickly became a hive of activity. Members met and unleashed their creativity over many hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They honed their skills, which included sessions led by various members and with visiting instructors. They meticulously recorded their meeting minutes, which today offer glimpses into the group’s (and the island’s) evolution.
There are now just ‘The Three Musketeers’ – Mary, Joy and Rosie – and the time has come for the group to finish.
“No one is prepared to continue the group. I’m 90, we need instructors and interest. It’s not as simple as you might think. There aren’t any people here who want to take up the craft,” Mary said.
They thanked Penny Watts for her invaluable tutoring contributions and acknowledged the council’s building refurbishment and extra lighting which ensured the group’s continued success. Mary remembers Margaret Richards’s detailed and thorough record-keeping.
Porcelain painting, also known as china painting or overglaze painting, is an ancient art form with a rich and diverse history spanning centuries. Ceramic painting involves painting on ceramic objects or tiles and can be traced back to ancient civilisations.
Originating in China during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), porcelain painting involved the application of colourful glazes to ceramic vessels for decorative and functional purposes.
Spreading through Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries factories became renowned for their manufacture of hand-painted porcelain.
By the 19th century, with new firing techniques and the invention of durable overglaze pigments, porcelain painting evolved into an art form and was
a popular pastime among affluent Victorian women as a means of self-expression and creative fulfilment.
Painting studios emerged with classes and workshops for ‘home’ pursuits, while factories like Meissen, Minton, Spode, and Doulton employed Art School amateurs who became art workers or artists. Many hand-painted designs are still in production today. Porcelain art was popular in Australia from the earliest settlements.
In the 20th century, porcelain painting resurged, particularly with the advent of modernist art movements, Art Nouveau and Art Deco. Throughout the 20th century, the porcelain and China painting audience continued to widen.
Studios and workshops, seminars, guilds, magazines and businesses met the demand for the creation of original works within the glass and ceramic industry by supplying clay moulds, manufactured greenware (unfired clay), bisque ware/blanks (fired items), glazes, decals/transfers, kilns and tools. Artists, crafters, hobbyists and small commercial operators alike had product accessibility.
Today, porcelain painting continues to thrive as a vibrant and dynamic art form, with artists around the world exploring innovative techniques and pushing the boundaries of creativity.
From traditional hand-painted porcelain wares to contemporary mixed-media installations. The art of porcelain painting remains a timeless expression of beauty, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage.
The journey of the King Island Porcelain Painters is not merely a testament to artistic prowess but a testament to the power of community and resilience. Through shared passion and unwavering dedication, they have left an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of King Island