About the Author.

Totally turned on by the medium of clay and the broad practice of ceramics, I have, over the years, been involved in education, curated exhibitions, written articles, run workshops, held solo shows, participated in guest residencies, conferences and forums and presented lectures. Generally – my clay addiction has enabled me to travel the world.  I’ve seen and collected a lot of fabulous pots and met many fascinating makers and collectors.

Whilst still a practicing potter experimenting with functional work, mostly in porcelain, my current research interests also extend to the exploration of cooking with clay traditions.  Sourcing and collecting (and where necessary, recreating) earthenware clay cooking pots from around the world that are still used on a daily basis on an open flame, has become an obsession.  Seeking out and acquiring traditional working earthenware (and some stoneware) pots that are designed to be used on an open wood or gas fire – in the wood fired oven and the fireplace – as clay tabletop grillers and charcoal fired clay braziers; as tandoors, hornos and chimineas has become an even greater obsession.  I’m intrigued to know how these vessels are made and used and the stories that are embedded in their brittle walls.

Up until recently, the ever growing collection resided in our island shack on Bruny Island in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel off the south eastern coast of Tasmania.  Here, in combination with the produce of the island, the pots, along with the wood fired oven, the hangi style firepit and the Japanese inspired iori, cooking with fire, food and clay occurred.

For those that came along for the ride during the past few years, the Observatory and the Boathouse on Bruny are now with new owners. Brunyfire sold the property in October 2020 and has been happy to pass the place on to a couple who are keen to carry on the work that Brunyfire and partner John started so long ago. The cooking pot collection now resides in Brunyfire’s recently renovated suburban home…….

………and has since grown. The recently completed outdoor deck has enabled the addition of a wood fired barbecue/oven and a fire pit, whilst out back, another fire pit and a tandoor oven are being put to use. Cooking with fire and clay continues…….

Penny Smith

(To check out full CV: PENNY SMITH)