Joan Campbell facts for kids

Joan Ruth Campbell (1925–1997) was an important Australian potter and ceramic artist. She was born in Victoria and became known for her unique pottery, especially using a special technique called Raku.

Early Life and Discovering Pottery

Joan Campbell was born in Geelong, Victoria in 1925. When she was fifteen, in 1940, her family moved to Western Australia.

Joan started pottery later in her life. At first, it was just a fun hobby. But soon, she wanted to learn more and make it her craft. She even built her own wood-fire kiln at her home in Scarborough. A kiln is a special oven used to bake clay and make it hard. She taught herself how to fire her pottery in this kiln.

Developing Her Unique Style

In 1959, Joan worked with Johannes de Blanken, a potter from the Netherlands. Later, she teamed up with Eileen Keys. They decided to use only materials found locally in their pottery.

In 1966, Joan and Eileen tried a special firing method called Raku. This technique quickly became Joan's favorite way to finish her pottery. Raku pottery has a unique look because of how it's fired and cooled quickly.

Joan held her very first solo art show in 1969. It was at the Old Fire Station Gallery in Fremantle. In 1970, she traveled to the United States. There, she worked with another famous potter named Paul Soldner.

Joan became well-known for her Raku pottery. In 1972, she was invited to show her work at a big international exhibition. This show was at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. She was one of a few Australian potters chosen for this honor.

Contributions to the Arts

Joan Campbell was not just an artist; she also helped organize the arts community. In 1968, she helped start the Western Australian Branch of the Crafts Association of Australia. She worked as the secretary for this group.

She was also a founding member of the Crafts Board of the Australia Council. This council helps support arts and crafts in Australia. Joan was a member of the Australia Council from 1974 to 1977.

In 1975, Joan set up her own pottery studio. It was in the Old Kerosene Store building. This building was right on the shore of Bathers Beach in Fremantle.

Awards and Recognition

Joan Campbell received important awards for her work in the arts. In 1977, she was given an MBE. This award recognized her great contributions to the arts. In the same year, she was also named WA Citizen of the Year for her work in Arts, Culture, and Entertainment.

Later Life

Sadly, Joan Campbell was diagnosed with cancer in late 1996. She passed away on 5 March 1997. Her unique Raku pottery and her efforts to support other artists left a lasting mark on Australian art.