Intertek & Midland Brick collaborate with Perth Studio Potters bringing Western Australian Wild Clay project to life
For more than 70 years, Perth Studio Potters has been at the heart of Western Australia's ceramics community. The volunteer-run studio supports artists through workshops, exhibitions and shared learning, encouraging experimentation while preserving traditional ceramic practices.
The Wild Clay Project began with a simple question from exploration geologist and Perth Studio Potters artist John Canaris: could locally sourced Western Australian clays & minerals once again be used to create contemporary ceramic artworks?
That idea grew into a project involving around 25 artists who wanted to explore the creative potential of Western Australian wild clay while reconnecting with the region's rich geological history.
The Wild Clay adventure commenced in April 2026 with the generous offer from Nathan Blackwell at Midland Brick for our artists to embark on a clay dig at the Midland Brick Clay Pits in Goomalling and Bolgart. This was a hands-on field trip exploring the amazing mineral deposits of the Wheatbelt region, collection of samples and gaining an understanding of the geology behind these evolving clay deposits.
When Perth Studio Potters set out to create an exhibition using locally sourced Western Australian wild clays and minerals, they faced a significant challenge: how to process raw geological materials into consistent ceramic ingredients suitable for use by more than 20 artists.
Drawing on its expertise in mineral processing, Intertek partnered with the studio to mill locally sourced rocks and minerals to the precise particle sizes required for ceramic bodies and glazes, helping transform an ambitious idea into a collaborative exhibition celebrating Western Australia's natural ceramic heritage.
Sourcing Western Australian Materials
Sourcing the clay was only the beginning.
To create ceramic bodies and glazes, artists also needed minerals processed into fine, consistent powders. Hand-grinding the quantities required would have been time-consuming and unlikely to deliver the consistency needed across such a large collaborative project.
Applying Scientific Expertise
To overcome this challenge, John approached Intertek.
Using specialist mineral processing equipment, Intertek milled the rocks and minerals to precise particle sizes suitable for both ceramic bodies and glazes. This ensured artists had access to consistent materials while preserving the unique characteristics of the locally sourced minerals.
The collaboration highlights how expertise developed for scientific and industrial applications can support innovative community projects in unexpected ways.
Where Geology Meets Art
The processed materials became the building blocks for the exhibition, incorporated into both clay bodies and glazes that create the finished works' colours, textures and surface effects.
"People often think of glaze as paint, but it's actually made from rocks and minerals," said Caroline Goodlett, President of Perth Studio Potters and an accomplished potter.
"Materials like silica, feldspar and naturally occurring minerals are ground into fine powders and mixed together. They're applied to a bisque-fired pot and, when fired at around 1,300 degrees Celsius, those minerals melt and become glass. That's where the colours, textures and beautiful surface effects come from."
The project has also encouraged artists to explore Western Australia's ceramic heritage by revisiting historical glaze recipes and developing new interpretations using locally sourced minerals.
Among these is a Western Australian interpretation of the traditional Japanese Shino glaze, alongside the recreation of glaze formulations developed by renowned Western Australian ceramic artist Eileen Keys.
Creativity Through Collaboration
For John, the project demonstrates the unique opportunities that emerge when science and creativity come together.
Western Australian clay deposits provided the raw materials. Local minerals connected the artworks to the landscape. Intertek and Midland Brick contributed the technical expertise needed to prepare those materials for artistic use.
Together, these contributions have enabled artists to create works that celebrate Western Australia's geological story through ceramics.
The Wild Clay Project is a powerful example of how collaboration, innovation and specialist expertise can help turn creative ideas into reality, revealing new possibilities where science and art intersect.
The members of Perth Studio Potters would like to thank our generous primary sponsors:
Intertek generously donated their expertise and time for rock grinding minerals to add to our clay bodies and glazes.
Midland Brick generously donated access to their clay pits and their advice and time to assist our artists.
Industrial Minerals continue to generously supply Feldspar for our works in progress.
Perth Studio Potters would also like to acknowledge:
Australia Silica Quartz Pty Ltd for our initial Feldspar supply.
Glencore Australia for our Nickel Ore.
WA Lapidary & Rock Hunting Club for our initial rock sample supply.
Culburra Clay for the clay bag samples from their cricket pitch clay in Waroona.