KIM CRUZ - THE POTTER X THE CLAY.
Meet Kimberly Cruz, a talented ceramic artist and founder of The Potter x The Clay. From planters to plates, Kim’s hand-crafted pieces have a touch of personality in each and every one of them. We chatted with her about her work and her creative world.
Tell us about yourself, Kim.
As first-generation immigrants, my family came to Australia
when I was five. From the very beginning, I remember my parents working very
hard, saving every dollar.
My brothers and I never got an allowance, so from an early
age, I’d sell anything I could get my hands on to earn my own pocket money.
Vitamin C’s to school kids, toilet paper (in bulk) to their parents, magic
tricks, fireworks, you name it.
As I got older, my family developed a strong basketball
community out in South-West Sydney. I grew up loving and playing the sport.
Week in, week out I’d help teach kids clinics, train, coach and organise
competitions – all under the umbrella ran by my familia.
Looking back at everything now; all the things I was exposed
to growing up had really prepared me for the right ethics for ceramics. It
taught me the importance of hustle, heart, consistency and the higher order of
serving your community.
When did you get into pottery?
My boyfriend had spent some time in New York, and he came
back with a small ceramic piece, hand-built by the NY-based, Japanese artist
Shino Takeda. As soon as I picked it up, something in me changed. There was a
preciousness about it that had me feeling a particular type of way, and for a
whole year I couldn’t shake it off. So, I enrolled in casual night classes.
I’ve been a pig in mud ever since.
I’ve always been outdoorsy and love hiking. The smell of wet
dirt & moss after rain, the aches and pains of an uphill climb. So
instinctively, I find my aesthetics drawing itself back to nature. Speckles,
raw textures, tactile bumps and earthy glazes. Also women. I’m drawn to and
inspired by strong, hard-working, smart women. My mother was my first female
role model and has shown me the breadth & depth of what a woman can
accomplish, especially in the face of adversity. In this age - the more we can
advocate for each other, support and lift one another up, the bigger our
opportunities to achieve much greater things will be.
What is your go-to Dickies garment?
Definitely the (8953) Painters Overalls and the Men's 874
pants.
Kimberly Recommends:
Whenever I have coffee somewhere else, I always compare it to Barmuda’s. It’s got that deliciously strong kick without the bitterness. They also do the meanest, best hot chocolate you will ever have.
A humble family biz that’s only been around a year, but their sincere hospitality and grilled lemongrass pork, rice & egg brings a strong sense of nostalgia for me growing up and eating ‘out-west’.
Website: www.thepotterxtheclay.com
Photographer: @gabegaspar
Stylist: @ollysydney
Look: Kim is wearing the 8953 Painters Overalls.