Spencer Ceramics
New Zealand-born Craig Spencer, from Spencer Ceramics, creates ceramic pieces drawing on his extensive design background from his Byron Bay studio.
Words & Photography: Hande Renshaw
Craig Spencer in his studio in Byron Bay. Photo: Hande Renshaw
A selection of ceramics at Craig Spencer’s current space in Habitat, Byron Bay. Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘Architecture and fashion have influenced me over all genres of design I’ve had the pleasure of working with. A lot of it is intuitive, depending on how I am feeling in that moment.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
A selection of ceramics at Craig Spencer’s current space in Habitat, Byron Bay. Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘Every day I’m proud when someone makes a decision to choose my work to purchase. I remind myself of that because that purchase and choice allows me to continue on my clay journey.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
The creative journey of almost any designer or maker is often not a straight and defined path. We find that creativity is a trajectory that evolves and grows.
Byron Bay- based Craig Spencer from Spencer Ceramics worked as an interior designer for over 15 years, with a curiosity for how things were made and constructed.
‘Art, interiors, architecture and even furniture design have always been of great interest in me from an early age,’ shares Craig, ‘Making has only been a recent thing after starting ceramics 4 years ago, but the years of designing and creating have given me a great foundation.’
As for many creatives, Craig’s design journey has been fuelled with a desire to have self-sufficiency – the biggest draw card: the ability to work on his own time, at his own pace.
‘I had always been a lover of handmade homewares and ceramics, initially I just wanted to find an escape, so I did a 4 week wheel workshop, but I never left.’
‘I explore combining both wheel and slab-built techniques together – a method to help create a point of difference in my work.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
“Prior to learning ceramics I was amazed at the prices of handmade ceramics – after working with clay, I fully appreciate the value of handmade ceramics.”
‘Creating unexpected or iconic pieces are important for many reasons; to create interest, be individual and memorable, for owners of my work to know they have a limited edition piece, but equally to keep me interested and constantly developing in my own work and journey.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘Lighting is an aspect of design that has always been close to me – a home isn’t a home with bad lighting.’ Pictured: The Loop vase sits next to The Cutest Lamp. Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘An ocean swim is a daily ritual I sometimes miss, but always have every intent to try to and get there – the ocean brings everything back into alignment. Photo: Hande Renshaw
A selection of ceramics at Craig Spencer’s current space in Habitat, Byron Bay. Photo: Hande Renshaw
“My mind works in 3 dimensions constantly – I’m always intrigued by how something looks from all angles, but also how it would be placed in spaces or homes.”
‘I explore combining both wheel and slab-built techniques together – a method to help create a point of difference in my work.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
A selection of ceramics at Craig Spencer’s current space in Habitat, Byron Bay. Photo: Hande Renshaw
Craig’s working days tend to vary, but a priority is always an ocean swim – a daily ritual he finds incredibly grounding, ‘The ocean brings everything back into alignment,’ he says.
As any artist will tell you, the daily grind is not always one that is smooth, especially in ceramics where pieces are incredibly fragile and temperamental.
‘I would love to tell you a fairytale that every day is meditative and therapeutic in the studio, but the reality is, like most jobs, there are frustrating days, failures, successes, wins and losses – I’ve been lucky with many wins and successes, but it is a journey and a long process from start to finish.’
Craig’s process is split between the wheel and hand-building. While creating pieces on the wheel is more time efficient, slab building is a process he finds more labour intensive, yet the results are often more dynamic.
‘To create strong shape lines and bold architectural statement pieces, slab building is the best. It’s a love hate relationship with slab building though, it takes three times as long to make anything with a higher risk level of failure and cracks.’
Craig is due to move out of his current retail and studio space in Habitat, Byron Bay, later this month, but plans for an exciting next chapter are on the cards for the artist.
‘Watch this space – it’s time to grow, reinvent and re-visualise and elevate… nothing but good things are coming.’ We can’t wait to see what comes next!