b. 1942, Adelaide. Awarded an Associate Diploma of Art (Ceramics) from Northern Beaches TAFE in 1992 and has attended workshops by Hiroe Swen, Jeff Mincham, John Dermer and Ivan Gluch. Hardy makes both domestic ware – simple white serving bowls and other useful dishes and fine porcelain one off bowls.
Mosman potter, Liz Hardy, a regular contributor to the Mosman Art Gallery’s exhibitions has found inspiration for her next show from an unexpected source.

Until now, Liz’s focus has been delicate porcelain bowls with subtle understated glazes. That was until a friend from Germany presented her with a gift of a beautifully coloured silk scarf. The vitality of the colours made an enormous impression on the potter and suddenly a new direction became clear.

Liz has been a potter for 40 years and all her work is produced on the potter’s wheel. Liz says: “The response I like my work to provoke is the desire to pick up and hold.”

As far as that goes, nothing much has changed. The work still invites you to admire it, feel it and then definitely put it to use. There is just an added attraction of contrasting primary colours. “My inspiration was the vibrant colour of the scarf,” says Liz, “I still wanted to create simple forms in porcelain but introduce a splash of colour which gives my work a contemporary feel.”

Liz’s work has been exhibited in many galleries over the years and is greatly admired. As well as porcelain, she produces shiny white stoneware for the table. These pieces are always in great demand. A recent jug exhibition featured a beautiful set of white jugs all varying in size. The simple forms were true to the Liz Hardy style - they are not only pleasing to look at but also useful.

Liz’s next exhibition will be at All Hand Made Gallery, 252 Bronte Road, Waverley, where she will be featured as Artist of the Month. The official opening and “Meet the Artists” will take place on June 9 at 3pm. This is a great opportunity to see beautiful new work and discuss it in detail with the artist.

Susannah