Featherston ceramicist makes world's top 50

CLAY CREATION: Sam Duckor-Jones' clay artwork My Johnny's Gone to Hilo. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A Featherston man is a finalist in the country's most important ceramic competition.

Sam Duckor-Jones' clay artwork My Johnny's Gone to Hilo has earned him a place in this year's Portage Ceramic Awards, which aim to highlight the diverse work of ceramic artists nationwide.

He will be vying with artists from across the country for the premier award, which carries a prize of $15,000.

Duckor-Jones said he had formed a special relationship with the piece.

"Sometimes I feel so terribly close to these men I make out of clay. Sometimes I do caress a ceramic cheek with the palm of my hand - I miss them before they're even finished."

His work was one of 50 pieces selected from more than 260 entries.

The competition will be judged by Japanese/British ceramicist Takeshi Yasuda, who has travelled from the porcelain capital of the world - Jingdezhen, China.

Yasuda said the standard of the finalists' works was very high. "Some are quietly understated works, others are more strident pieces, but first and foremost, they all demonstrate a skill of visual expression."

The works will be on show at Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery in Auckland from Friday until February 8.

The winner will be named tomorrow.