Pattern Play by Mark Mitchell
Pattern Play by Mark Mitchell

I use the vessel as an archetypal form, commenting on its long historical function of utilitarian and ornamentation, placed within a contemporary context.

The use of formal sculptural elements such as form, scale, texture, light and shadow, interior and exterior, all contribute to a carefully orchestrated aesthetic of material.

2D pattern is transformed into the 3-Dimensional. Suggesting an architectural structure within the pot.

Mark Mitchell

Pattern Play by Mark Mitchell

Mark Mitchell

Mark was born in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in 1972 and now lives in Haruru, Northland. He attended Whanganui Polytech, School of Arts between 1999 and 2000 and graduated with a Batchelor of Fine Arts from Otago Polytechnic in 2001.

Mark has exhibited in group exhibitions and with solo exhibitions throughout Aotearoa New Zealand since 2002.  He has also exhibited in Sydney, Mittagong, Canberra, and Melbourne in Australia and Shigaraki, Japan.

He has had residencies in Fuping International Ceramic Museum, Fu-le, China (2007), Shigaraki, Japan (2009), and Ernabella, Northern Territories, Australia (2009).

Mark has received several merit and premier awards for his work, including premier awards at the Waiclay National Ceramic Awards (2015), and the Portage Ceramic Awards (2019). His work is held in Te Papa Tongarewa, The Dowse Art Museum, The Arts House Trust and Fuping and Shigaraki Collections.

Mark Mitchell