Richard Brooks
Born 1951 Sydney
Training
1969-70 Ceramics Certificates- East Sydney College of TAFE, Directed by Peter
Rushforth
1971-74 Apprenticeship with David Leach Workshop UK
1974-75 Apprenticeship with Resident Master Potter, Shiga Shigeo, Terrey Hills,
Sydney
1975-76 Six months at the newly formed Royal Doulton Craft Studio
Australia, Directed by Derek Smith
Workshop Establishment
1976 Established Booralie Pottery, Terrey Hills, Sydney. The project was assisted by a Crafts Board Workshop Establishment Grant. The workshop focused on the production of high fired earthenware. At this time, my students and I were breaking new ground with a type of work that had not been attempted in this country. A number of students were trained at this workshop, most notably, Lex Dickson and Toni Warburton, who are now established successful crafts people.
1980 Workshop relocated to larger premises nearby. Phasing out of earthenware and the introduction of stoneware and porcelain. Continued to train students, with Michael Wiles being assisted by a Training Grant.
Cultural Programme India
1979 Spent eight months in India. The project was assisted by the Australian Council Crafts Board, Aust Dept of Foreign Affairs and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. The programme included four months developing a new range of Mid Fired Ware for the Vallauris Workshop in Calcutta. Lectures and demonstrations were held at numerous Pottery Centres, Institutes & Colleges throughout Northern India. An Exhibition of my work made in India and Australia was shown at state Galleries in Madras, Calcutta, Bombay and New Delhi.
Potters Residency
1983 Three months as Potter in Residence, Grafton, NSW. For this project I was employed by a local Craft Organisation, who received funding from the Australia Council. The programme covered teaching twenty hours per week to a number of groups within the community. At the same time, a Body of Woodfired Stoneware and Porcelain was produced. The highlight of this project was an Exhibition of the work at the Mori Gallery, Leichhardt, Sydney, opened by Edmond Capon, Director NSW Art Gallery.
Teaching
1975-79 Crafts Council Country Tutorials throughout NSW.
1977-79 Held the position of Vice President, Potters Society of Australia and
Director of Special Schools. Took a major role in the organisation of the
First National Ceramics Conference.
1974-97 I have been employed regularly as a Part-time Teacher for Schools &
Workshops by TAFE Colleges including: Grafton, Kempsey, Forster,
Orange, Bathurst, East Sydney, St. George, Kogarah, Brookvale,
Wollongon.