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The Nelson Photo News

 

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The Potter's Craft

For many centuries man has made his living utensils by means of the potter's craft. It lives today. In New zealand there are about 50 potters, but Mirek Smisek, of Quarantine Road, Nelson, is the only potter in the country who earns his living from this ancient art. Unstinted praise for his work was given by Hon. F. E. Cumming-Bruce, High Commissioner for the U.K. in N.Z., at the art society's spring exhibition. Mr Cumming-Bruce ranked Mirek as one of the foremost potters in the world.

Mirek, now a naturalised New Zealander, learned pottery in Australia after he had emigrated from Czechoslavakia. He has been in New Zealand only nine years. In that time his pots have gone to many parts of the world.

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Wedging. The clay must be of the right texture.

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At the potter's wheel

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Opening the clay

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Drawing a cylinder

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Mirek Smisek, potter, with the finished article

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Cleaning the foot

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Wiping out surplus clay fragments and water

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A very important part of pottery work-the kiln. A constant and high temperature must be maintained. Here Mirek is peeping through a spy hole into the kiln.

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Fitting a spout on a coffee pot

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Nona, his wife is a big help

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The handle comes next

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Nona, the hostess, pours local apple wine from a Smisek wine jar, for which there is quite a demand.

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Mirek also teaches a keen group of amateur potters at the technical school. Here are most of them with their work for the year. Smisek, H. Le Blanc, Miss M. Brown, Mrs J. B. Moss, Mrs M. Thompson, Mrs C. R. Barnicoat, Mrs H. Nielsen and Mrs J. Fitzbrown.

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At the school kiln. Mrs Thompson, Mrs Nielsen and Mrs Fitzbrown having a peep.

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Mirek and Miss Brown doing some glazing

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Mrs Moss at the wheel 61