This work seeks to uncover the essence of the local soil in gestural forms that are derived from the Darling Downs terrain west of the Great Dividing Range. The work with the found soil builds first-hand material knowledge and artistic connection with place.

The glazes for the works are developed by gradually increasing the weight proportion of soil to 77% and varying the collected material from the lower washed fine black soil to the granular weathered basalt located towards the hill crest.

The chemistry of the soil has been researched and a compatible glaze mix adopted that is varied with the proportion of natural ingredients. Wood ash from burnt local hardwood is introduced into the glazes for Undercurrent 6 and 12.

Photography by Don Hildred