Design People: Hayley Bridgford
Hayley Bridgford makes handmade ceramics and is based in Auckland.
Hayley began taking pottery classes at the age of 15.
Hayley creates ceramic ranges for restaurants and also creates pieces for private commissions.
Hayley notes that her colour inspiration is “definitely inspired by New Zealand’s coastline and bush”.
Organic, handmade tableware is enjoying something of a renaissance. Amanda Harkness spoke with Hayley Bridgford about what influences and inspires her and where she’s planning to go with her craft.
Amanda Harkness (AH): What sparked your passion for ceramics and where did you learn your craft?
Hayley Bridgford (HB): When I was very young, I was fascinated by the banks of clay at my cousin’s place in Waiatarua. I’d play with it and make pots. I loved mud. Then, when I was 15, I started night classes, which I took for two years at Auckland Studio Potters in Onehunga, where I was taught by Peter Lange and other pioneering potters of that time. When I returned from living and travelling overseas, I moved to Dunedin and started a Ceramics Diploma at the Otago School of Art. I then worked for Rosemary O’Hara in Wellington and later pottered in Waiheke. About four years ago, when my three children had grown older, I finally finished my diploma at Auckland Studio Potters and was very lucky to be asked by Peter Collis to be his apprentice.
AH: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
HB: The bulk of my knowledge is down to having Peter Collis as my mentor; it’s knowledge that he passes on freely and enthusiastically. As a family, we spend a lot of time outdoors and tramping so my colours are definitely inspired by New Zealand’s coastline and bush. I also keep an eye on what’s coming out of restaurants like Noma in Denmark: one of the first restaurants to use handmade tableware.
AH: How would you describe your style and what are the key pieces in your range?
HB: I work with porcelain on the wheel so my pieces are organic and earthy, and quite simple and easy to live with. The handmade look is such a global phenomenon now. My current work is functional domestic ware – like plates, bowls, jugs and platters – and I like to personalise my pieces with the inconsistent application of glaze, which makes each piece unique. I purposely leave my fingerprint marks and produce runny glaze effects.
AH: Who do you sell to?
HB: My first order was from Hugo’s Bistro in Auckland for 200 pieces. It was a steep learning curve! Since then, I’ve done a range for The Candy Shop in Newmarket, Gemmayze Street, Williams Eatery and Little Bird, and I’ve had some interest from restaurants out of Auckland too.
The ranges have to match their interiors and their food styles but they tend to leave the shapes and the textures to my artistic licence. I also get private commissions from people who have seen my work in restaurants and sometimes architects call me when their clients want a unique range. That’s fun, creating a whole new range.
AH: What’s next for you and the business?
I was accepted into the Portage Ceramic Awards last year with my piece 100+1 so, this year, I’d like to have a bit more focus on the art side, concurrent with my orders. I’ve also been working with Katie Lockhart and furniture-maker Grant Bailey on displays for the new-look Deadly Ponies flagship boutiques and I’ve made some small pots for Lucy Vincent’s Sans [ceuticals] range. Right now, I have a large order to fulfil for two restaurants at Smales Farm on the North Shore so that’s keeping me busy.
Follow Hayley on Instagram @hayleybridgfordceramics
This article first appeared in Houses magazine.
