Growing up in Africa, Liz de Beer was surrounded by a rich resource of wonderful design elements in nature, from which she draws inspiration for her pottery. Her dad used to pick up porcupine quills in the fields on their farm and would then turn them into actual writing instruments. The use of quills on her pots provides a functional design element and also brings back memories of Africa that are very close to her.
After moving to Canada in 1997, Liz started teaching art at the Seymour Art Gallery in Deep Cove and quickly developed a following. She was the pottery and art instructor at every recreation centre on the North Shore at the end of 1998. A year later, she was appointed studio manager of the newly built Parkgate Community Center in North Vancouver. Liz also developed her own pottery studio at home and engaged in juried exhibits all over BC. “My passion for the arts has no limits, so when I am not at Parkgate, you will find me potting at my home studio on the Sunshine Coast, where I also have a small gallery.”
After practising and teaching art for more than ten years in BC, Liz believes her work has reached a point where it reflects a fusion of West Coast and African sentiments and ideas. She has a preference for earthenware vessels that are simple in shape and unglazed on the outside, and uses a combination of oxides to produce surface coloration on the raw clay surface—striking but not distracting. She also has an interest in surface manipulation through carving and uses a variety of different techniques to achieve the results she wants. “My passion for the medium and my love for the process are evident in the work that I produce. Opening up the kiln door to discover the magic that took place through firing remains one of the most rewarding experiences anyone can have.”
Drop by Klaywerk Studio at 1472 Davidson Road in Gibsons (Langdale) during this year’s Sunshine Coast Art Crawl or visit www.lizdebeer.com.
