Charlie & Mieke De Deyne

Mas & Miek Ceramic House

Ceramicist

The soul craft of mother and daughter

Charlie and Mieke create colourful utilitarian ceramics together
They studied ceramics at university at the same time
Their studio is open for lessons in ceramic techniques

Ceramicist Mieke De Deyne shares that her daughter Charlie would always join her in the studio on the Sunshine Coast as a child. The two of them ended up studying at the same time, although they attended different universities so as not to cramp each other’s style. Together, they have visited many workshops and ceramic fairs and spent several months in the porcelain capital of the world, Jingdezhen in China, with a programme from the ANU, Australian National University. Working together came naturally for Mieke and Charlie as they exchanged ideas and combined ceramic practice, selling at the Brisbane GOMA Markets. Mieke brings a contemporary vision with the design and shape of vessels, while Charlie works on glaze development. In 2017, they launched Mas and Miek Ceramic House, now offering workshops in wheelwork and hand-building at two studios spaces.

Interview

How would you describe your studio?: Charlie: We spend very long hours in studio, so we made comfortable and beautiful spaces to be in. We hope that our passion is contagious and that we nourish the need in some people to find creative outlets.
What philosophy underpins your practice?: Charlie: We love the term ‘soul craft’ as ceramics are a very meditative pastime. The process of clay forces you to slow down, be in the moment, take it step by step. In today's fast-paced world, we think many people find sanctuary in ceramic practice and come to our studios to unwind.
How would you define your creative style?: Mieke: We make contemporary utilitarian work with our own glazes. Lots of our aesthetics are based on glaze applications and considered designed forms in a reasonable price range to be utilitarian. Charlie also diversifies into more unglazed sculptural work.
What is it like working together as mother and daughter?: Mieke: We complement each other by talking about different collections and the glaze palette to use. Together, we always found bliss in our ceramic practice to create objects we love. Sharing that by teaching others is a great joy – doing so with your daughter is double the fun.

Charlie & Mieke De Deyne are master artisans: they began their career in 2010 and they started teaching in 2017