Merrilyn Stock

Where did you grow up, and what led you to study art?

I grew up on a hilltop with a panoramic view of the sea, city and Adelaide hills. Our yard went to the horizon some 40klms away. I’ve always marvelled at the ever-changing colours of the ocean reflecting the sky, clouds, wind and rain.  I need to create as much as I need to breathe.  Creating has been in my family for generations. I think of it as problem solving, one idea rolling into the next.

How do you describe your art practice today?

I work four days a week as a Visual Art Lecturer at Adelaide College of the Arts which I enjoy. When I’m in my studio I’m in heaven. Hours are like minutes ideas are endless. My artistic outcomes are the by-product of a wonderful journey of discovery.

Where does your interest in ancient sea creatures come from?

As a child I spent hours beach combing with my Mum while my Dad fished. Mum and I loved visiting a shell museum that was I think on the road to Waipinga back in the 70’s. I loved looking at the huge variety of shells and sea creates. 

Ancient sea creatures are the building blocks of life. I have become interested in The Fibonacci spirals, their connection to nature and Art. Ernst Haeckel’s book Art Forms in Nature is a great source of inspiration. The Bizarre and Incredible world of plants by Wolfgang Stuppy, Rob Kesseler and Madeline Harley looks at the structure of plants under the microscope. I’m also interested in the impact of climate change and the build up of carbon in our oceans. From this I have been exploring carbon trap glazes on my ceramic sea urchin forms. 

What fascinates me about ceramics?

I love making something out of nothing. You are only limited by your own imagination. Clay is such a versatile medium. You can eat off it, build houses out of it, make hip joints and even the tiles on the space shuttle are all made out of porcelain clay. It is limitless the true infinity medium. 

What inspires you most and why? 

Now the sea inspires me the most. For ever changing the balance of nature Coral, Sea urchins and the diversity of species how they have adapted to their environment. In the words of William Blake ‘To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a Wildflower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour’

Happiness is creating new interpretations of sea inspirations and sharing my love of the ocean life with others. Since my mother’s death I have found happiness in recreating some of the creatures I found while beachcombing with her.

Cambrian Ceramics

Porcelain & Tasmanian Celadon Glaze

Beach Combing Series

Porcelain & Tasmanian Celadon Glaze