Kay Gray - Studio Potter

A few months ago, I acquired a 'mustard-yellow' serving platter.  It felt so  "seventies" and it reminded me of my childhood.   I wondered if it was from the "seventies", or merely "seventies-inspired", or perhaps nothing to do with the 1970s at all. 

Platter by Kay Gray

The potter's mark on the underside read Kay Gray Pottery and I decided to see what I could learn about her and her work on the net.    Information was sparse, but worth recording in the notebook for future reference. 

Underside of Platter

Close up view of Potters Stamp

There was an article at stuff.co.nz dated April 2016, about six local artists from Matamata, including studio potter - Kay Gray.   The opening of their temporary shop was timed to coincide with the Matamata Festival of Flowers.   She was pictured with two other artists and some of her pottery - Trinket boxes!

Full article here: Local Artists take Advantage of Festival of Flowers - 2016 

Later that year, in October, an advertisement for the Matamata Society of Arts Annual exhibition listed Kay Gray and two other Potters as Guest Artists.   

Advertisement in:  'Scene' (Issue 280) - a local Matamata newspaper (pdf copy online). 

In addition to these local references, Kay's work was found on a site titled 'New Zealand Pottery : A friendly community of New Zealand Pottery enthusiasts'.  The community had an ongoing project involving New Zealand Potter's marks and they had an entry page for her, with images of her work. 

See samples of Kay's work at New Zealand Pottery

One image was of Cobalt Blue Jars from a woman in Nelson, Aqua Marine Coffee Mugs from a Woman in New Plymouth and other items, all of them quite different in style, use of colour and technique.  Clearly Kay's work was not only local, it was and perhaps still is national and worth keeping an eye out for.   Any further finds by Kay Gray will be added to this post.