Maude Poynter

Maude Poynter (1869–1945), potter and painter, grew up in Victoria, studied painting and pottery in England, worked as a VAD during the First World War, and in 1918 moved to Ratho, at Bothwell. A resourceful woman, she built a studio with a large wood-fired kiln and exhibited and sold pottery from 1919. Her works are colourful and energetic, often featuring Australian animals and plants. They demonstrate her strengths as a painter and her capacity for drawing and modelling. With a keen interest in experimentation, she worked with a range of techniques and produced large-scale wheel-thrown pottery as well as functional domestic wares. Some works feature three-dimensional elements that form handles or applied decoration. Later works depict landscapes and interpretations of contemporary events. She was Tasmania's first studio potter.

Further reading: J Kerr (ed), Heritage, Sydney, 1995; G King, Mylie Peppin, ceramics 1935–1990, Launceston, 1990; C Miley, Beautiful & useful, Launceston, 1987.

Glenda King