Peter Collis (New Zealand) ceramics

Peter Collis is a New Zealand ceramics artist who has been working in the field for over 40 years. He is known for his exploration of shape and surface, and his work is often characterized by its use of crackle glazes, textured slips, and rich colours. Collis has exhibited extensively in New Zealand and internationally, and his work is included in the collections of many public and private institutions.

Collis was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1950. He began his artistic training at the University of Auckland, where he studied ceramics under the tutelage of John Walsh. After graduating, Collis worked as a studio potter in Auckland for several years. In 1978, he moved to Birkenhead, where he established his own studio.

His work has been influenced by a wide range of sources, including Japanese ceramics, American studio pottery, and contemporary art. He is particularly interested in the relationship more... between form and function, and he often creates vessels that are both visually striking and functional. Collis is also interested in the expressive potential of clay, and he often uses his work to explore emotional and philosophical themes.

Collis has exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions throughout New Zealand and internationally. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the 1998 Te Waka Toi Award for Excellence in Ceramics. Collis's work is included in the collections of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, and the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu.

Peter Collis is a past president of the New Zealand Society of Potters, and he has served as a judge for numerous ceramics competitions. He has taught ceramics at the University of Auckland and the Unitec Institute of Technology. Peter Collis continues to work in his studio in Birkenhead. less...