Suvira explains heat work during the firing process

We visited well-known ceramicist and sculptor Suvira McDonald who was gearing up for this weekend’s North Coast Mud Trail

Suvira’s studio in Goonengerry is set on a steep hill surrounded by rainforest. You wind down stairs to the circular, wooden studio which has big windows looking onto the sunny garden.

Suvira expects more than 400 art lovers through his doors during this weekend’s North Coast Mud Trail.

One of the many beautiful nooks in Suvira's studio

As one of the founding members of the Mud Trail in 2012, he’s thrilled the annual event has brought so much to the region. 

“When the Australian Ceramics Association said they wanted to do an open studio day across Australia, there were nine of us local potters who took part. We decided to promote ourselves collectively and it was an instant hit.

This year, more than 20 ceramic artists and sculptors are opening their studio doors for the Mud Trail which has you winding through the stunning scenery of the Byron hinterland.

“The increasing popularity of the Mud Trail really mirrors the huge surge in demand for the handmade.

“A few years ago, restaurants got sick of anonymous white plates. Now there is a strong dialogue between the potter and the chef in terms of how they want to present their food. It’s a similar story in the home, people are now much more likely now to have a handmade teapot or serving platter.

Suvira’s ceramics practice has a focus on domestic dinnerware as well as landscape interpretations and sculpture formed in low relief and free standing modalities.

The rough textures and earthy colours of Suvira's work

“Sculpture in low relief implies it’s a wall mounted concept, when it’s quite flattened whereas high relief is where there are protruding forms from the wall. However, as a sculpture it’s not like a painting, it has texture and undulation and the images protrude from the surface.

These pieces are reminiscent of an aerial view of the Australian landscape with its rugged shapes and earthy colours. Suvira begins work on a flat surface and then builds up the image before firing it in the kiln.

It is apparent Suvira enjoys the technical aspects of ceramics and the intricacies of construction, having been a teacher of ceramics and sculpture for 20 years at Southern Cross University. More recently, he has finished a long project involving the construction of a traditional anagama, Japanese-style wood fire kiln.

“Anagama in Japanese means excavated kiln. Traditionally the side of a hill was excavated and the kiln was built inside the hill and the earth was covered back over. When kilns heat up they expand and then when they cool they settle so unless the whole thing is compressed and held it will expand to a point of collapse.

“We’ve taken that kiln design and appropriated it in the West and have found other ways to contain the expansion with buttressing or metal frames," Suvira said. 

Suvira starts placing the pieces for firing at the back of the anagama and keeps placing items in until full. He will then light the wood fire and seal it up. To gauge the progress, Suvira uses little pyrometric cones  which measure ‘heat work’ - melting at a specific point and providing a more valuable indicator than a simple temperature reading.

Inside the Anagama - the brick walls on the inside are glazed from when the ash from the wood fire rises and melts on the wall  

Some of the results from this kiln were exhibited at ‘Smoke on the Water’ National Woodfire Conference 2017. His exhibition Vestigial Vessels was a solo showing of wood fired works at Makers Gallery Brisbane in 2018. Suvira also recently showcased his work at ‘Silhouette, the Body of Nature’ at Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney

Visit Studio Suvira this weekend at 3/300 Mafeking Rd, Goonengerry.

Mud Trail map.

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Looking for a reason to escape to the Hinterland? We've compiled the best events in the Northern Rivers for the rest of 2019. 

Contact us to add your event.

Weekly and Monthly Markets 

Every Friday - Mullum Farmers Market 7-11am Mullumbimby Showground

Every Saturday - Lismore Farmers Market 7-11am Lismore Showground

Every Saturday - Bangalow Farmers Market 7-11am Bangalow Hotel car park

1st Saturday - Brunswick Heads Markets 7-2pm Memorial Park

1st & 3rd Sunday Lismore car boot market 7-2pm Lismore Square car park

1st Sunday - Byron Bay Markets 8-2 Main Beach Foreshore

2nd & 5th Sunday - Lennox Markets 8-2pm Lennox Head Community Centre 

4th Sunday - Bangalow Market 9-3pm Bangalow Showground

Read our post on the top hinterland markets. 

AUGUST

2 – 4 Aug Byron Writers Festival

The annual Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas. More than 150 sessions are held during Festival Week attracting more than 12,000 people to the area. More info.

17 - 18 Aug North Coast Mud Trail – Open Studios

Once a year, as part of The Australian Ceramics Association’s Open Studios, Northern Rivers’ artists open their spaces to the public for one weekend only, giving the opportunity for visitors to see demonstrations, hear artists’ talks, participate in workshops, learn about their processes, and purchase ceramics directly from the artists themselves. Read More

SEPTEMBER

7 Sep Sample Food Festival 

Each year foodies from far and wide have the opportunity to “sample” the best food and beverage, Northern New South Wales has to offer. The region’s top restaurants compete for the coveted “Gold Fork” awards and collaborate on a special luncheon. It's on at the Bangalow Showground. $5 entry at the gate. Kids Free. Free Parking all day onsite. Read more

OCTOBER 

31 Oct - 3 Nov Byron Latin Fiesta

Enjoy 3 days and 4 nights of Latin dance workshops and parties with international, national and local instructors and performers. Catering to beginners and seasoned dancers alike, there is something for everyone at Australia's longest running Latin dance festival. Read more

12 - 13 Oct Byron Bay Guitar Festival 

The Byron Bay Guitar Festival celebrates all things guitar with the best guitarists and a weekend of performances, masterclasses and showcases. Held in the iconic Byron Bay Brewery, the BBGF has staged some of the best guitarists including Kevin Borich, Ash Grunwald, British India, Dallas Frasca, Lloyd Spiegel, Jeff Martin, Hussy Hicks, Tash Wolf and the late Phil Emmanuel. Read more

NOVEMBER  

10 - 11 Nov Mullumbimby Show 

They say it's the biggest little show in Australia, situtated at the beautiful Mullumbimby Showgrounds at the base of Mount Chincogan. Read more

14 - 17 Nov Mullum Music Festival

No gates. No big headlines. No VIP areas. Basically a no hassle street festival where artists and performers mingle and where shows are held in halls, clubs and pubs rather than tents. It's a great way to experience the vibrant village of Mullumbimby. More info.

DECEMBER 

24 Dec Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival 

The Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival is famous shire-wide. With street performers, food trucks, fair-ground rides and Christmas cheer in abundance, this is the most wonderful family-friendly event! Join in the festivities of this delightful community event held every Christmas Eve in the main street of Bangalow. Read more