Dr Toni Roberts
I am a Melbourne (Naarm)-based ceramic artist. Clay is in my blood. My mother was a potter, so I grew up with clay and the thrill of making, firing and using handmade ceramics. After decades of working in other mediums I have returned home to clay.
I make functional, useful pieces that feel good in the hand and warm the heart. My sculptural work is playful and detailed.
I love the elemental, fluid nature of clay: earth and water plus fire. Together these elements offer endless opportunities for experimentation and communication.
I am a keen swimmer and snorkeler and my work is driven by my love of water and aquatic environments. I am based in Melbourne and South Gippsland, both of which have wonderful aquatic environments that constantly offer up surprises and joy. My works are reminders of our connection to the world beneath the ocean’s surface. My pieces are small tokens of the aquatic.
My work is available online, from my studio in Hampton, and at Gibson’s in Fish Creek and Space2B in St Kilda. My most recent (group) exhibition was at Michael Reid Galleries Nothern Beaches NSW. My unique octojuicers have become very popular so please get in touch if you would like to order one. Some works, such as the juicers, can be posted. More delicate pieces are for pick up only.
Sustainability
I make my work as sustainably as I can by minimising waste, recycling all clay scraps, using solar power for my kiln (% varies depending on the season). I also use recycled packaging materials such as bubble wrap, newspaper and boxes. If you order something as a gift and don't want me to use recycled packaging please let me know.
Previous projects
I established Hatchling Studio in 2010 as a collaborative interpretation, design and public art consultancy. I undertook a range of major projects around Australia and in NZ, the most recent of which, Marram Baba Parklands signage suite, won Gold in the Global Better Future Design Award in 2024/25. I was an academic at RMIT for 10 years which included managing the Bachelor of Communication Design and undertaking research into interpretation practice. If you are interested in my previous projects and interpretation practice please get in touch.
Making with mud and my mum
My mother was a potter. It was her greatest passion, although she also worked in many other materials. I grew up with clay and the processes that led from a damp lump of earth to a functional or fantastical form. Each stage is marked by the excitement of firing and the nervous anticipation of its outcome. I remember from my childhood a late-night salt firing like some people would remember cracker night or a solstice bonfire. The whooshing noise and flames of the burners set into a brick kiln that mum had built in the back yard. …wrapping rock salt in newspaper and inserting the little packets through a bung hole where they vaporised in a glow of orange. The next morning we removed bricks to reveal the wonderful blushes of colour and orange-peel texture on her handiwork.
My pots are not like my mother’s. But working with clay and slip is very much connected to my childhood with her, and makes me feel her presence even though she’s been gone for more than 20 years now. I miss her in my making, but also revel in sharing the contentment of handling the cool, pliable earth; of moulding and making with mud.
I published a paper called Making with Mud and my Mother in TEXT journal here.