Cassy McArthur

What is your connection to Ballarat?

I spent most of my growing and early working years in Ballarat, until the 90’s when home became a rural property 1 hour south-west of Ballarat with my husband. Ballarat has remained my key town, and out of necessity for our son’s education, the past decade has seen my family and I living between Ballarat and the farm. With the part-time Ballarat living arrangement, I was able to transfer my visual arts studies to what is now Federation University, and I have studied there on and off ever since.

When did your journey as a ceramicist begin?

I have always been creative and explored a range of art disciplines over my schooling and life, however I found ceramics on a serious level during the study of my Bachelor of Visual Arts degree. Studying under Pete Pilven, my 3rd year was entirely dedicated to ceramics. I had earlier started exploring coloured porcelain and light, but felt something was missing. I had an urge to collect my own materials, dig my own clay. I discovered this was the missing link, and from that point everything made sense within my art practice. I often say it was like coming home.

How would you describe your practice?

I work with raw clay and materials I collect from the environment. Always keen to explore, develop and move forward, I view my practice as predominantly experimental. I create unique pieces that are sculptural and, at times, functional. With a strong connection to the land, I am happy when immersed in the natural world. I take all that I absorb and translate it into my work.

How would you describe the creative community of Ballarat?

I am not really able to comment on the creative community at a grass roots level as I have not been entirely immersed in it, however I love how Ballarat is raising its creative profile through the development of large-scale visual arts events and the progressive nature of the Art Gallery of Ballarat. I am concerned, however, that the visual arts education at an academic level is on a desperate decline, which seems to be at odds with the creative industries of our region.

What are you working on right now?

I have been creating pieces for an international exhibition with Cluster Crafts in London, run in partnership with London Craft Week. The exhibition will take place late October this year.

Can you give us three words that sum up your inspiration?

Geological landscape nature