The Learning Curve: Bree Cribbin

Tell us a bit about yourself:  

My current practice and experience has primarily been in Ceramics and Sculpture, exploring themes of transformation, connection and trauma. I began working with clay in Vietnam in a pottery village and I was fascinated by how clay allowed me to connect with the people and their culture despite not speaking their language. This inspired me to continue studying the medium and under other artists in China, Indonesia and Germany before completing a Diploma of ceramics in Sydney. Since graduating I’ve been practicing as a full-time artist and founded a business to teach ceramics for wellbeing in my local community. I believe it’s important to give back when you can, and I’ve been fortunate enough to do this by teaching through that business, Campbelltown Arts Centre and for people with disabilities. Now, I’m planning to go back to full-time study to expand my practice and skills. 

How long have been attending classes at Tom Bass Sculpture Studio School? 

Since 2017. I began by doing a workshop with Odette Ireland and was captured by the spirit of the Studio and haven’t looked back.

What do you do when you’re not sculpting?

I’m generally experimenting with materials or teaching ceramics. Beyond that, I do a little support work, wander in nature, and read.

What made you take up sculpting?

I was fascinated by how a sculpture could stop me in my tracks and make me physically move around it whilst the surroundings faded into the background. It’s not often I experience this magic – however, when I do, I feel more connected to spirit, to life, to myself.

What is your favourite sculpture medium to work in?

I don’t have a favourite medium to work in, although I do tend to turn to clay most often as it captures intuitive movements immediately. I’ve noticed I fall in and out of love with materials so I experiment with all materials to see what they and myself are capable of.

Tell us about what you’re working on currently…

Currently, I’m making ceramic cups to relax as I recently finished several ceramic sculptures in response to sounds sent digitally for an exhibition with Modern times Melbourne.

How long does it take you to make each ceramic sculpture, can you share your process with us?

Pieces can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 1 year. The ceramic pieces usually start as a solid block of clay and I massage, carve, and build where feels best. Clay for me is an instrument and I play it for the same reason a musician does, I never completely understand what I’m creating until it is created. Once I see what is trying to be said I refine the form and sit with it for several weeks, rotating and placing it in different positions and spaces around the studio to understand it. 

What inspires your practice?

Life 

Do you have any favourite artists or sculptors you would like to share with us?

Lately I’ve been interested in Mark Manders, Phyllida Barlow, Johan Gelper and and the some of the greats - Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra, Cornelia Parker, Auguste Rodin, Olafur Eliasson and Marina Abramovic.

Thanks Bree for speaking with us. You can see more from Bree on her Instagram account, click here.