When Jonathan Hook started his career as a ceramicist five decades ago it was not a common profession to choose.
“I grew up in Kendenup, in regional WA, and had to relocate to Perth to attend Technical College. I was one of only two full time students studying an Advanced Diploma in Ceramics at that time,” Jonathan said.
As a country kid at heart Jonathan was keen to relocate back to the country as soon as he finished his studies.
“I was really interested in wood fired kilns so I needed space and wood – lots of it. WA’s Great Southern region was the ideal place and I was drawn to the area’s beautiful landscape. I was, and still am, inspired by it and I believe the energy of the landscape permeates through me and comes out in what I create.”
And Jonathan has definitely created… a lot. He’s also been one of those fortunate creatives that’s been able to sustain a career and a lifestyle doing what he loves. His rural gallery and studio space carries that hallmark of that success as it’s brimming with vessels in every shape, colour and size.
“For many years I’ve focussed on producing quality tableware and I now have more than 70 different shapes in a wide variety of colours. Because of their fragile nature it’s not practical to sell online. I also don’t have any stockists for the same reason so the only place you can purchase my work is here at the gallery.”
Jonathan’s desire to stay local has also meant that he rarely exhibits, saying he prefers not to be part “of the gallery scene”.
“Exhibiting in a gallery isn’t a reliable way of selling work. Most people who buy my work are from Perth anyway – so in effect – they come to me rather than me go to them.”
When reflecting on the past 50 years Jonathan says his equipment has hardly changed and he still uses the same wheel he had decades ago.
“The biggest change has been in the refinement of my techniques and that comes from perseverance and practice. This is physically demanding work and you have to be a workaholic to be successful in making ceramics for a living. You need a high energy level too and a lot of passion.”
Jonathan’s seemingly abundant energy also led him to take on the designing and building of his current studio and gallery which opened three years ago. Spanning 480 square metres, with lofty ceilings and floor to ceiling glass showing off panoramic views, visitors can immerse themselves in the landscape while admiring the ceramics it has inspired.
Not content with just creating a designer space for himself, Jonathan has also recently turned his original studio into short-stay, luxury accommodation and admits he has always loved architecture.
“Had I not become a ceramicist he would definitely have been an architect,” he says.
More recently Jonathan has returned to his studies in fine art; something he started a couple of decades ago but had put aside due to life getting in the way. While Jonathan has always produced sculptural works, he hopes to head more in that direction in the future. But he admits it is not a fast process.
“One piece could take 12 months to make or it could take 20 years. All good things take time to develop and my renewed interest in painting and creating larger sculptural pieces presents me with a lot of possibilities for work that reflects the Great Southern landscape.”
Functional or sculptural, whatever Jonathan creates it will continue to be sought after by lovers of hand made, quality objects that carry the maker’s mark.
