The art of being Joy

She might be well known to many as a famous actor, but as the Block contestants discover, there’s another side to Joy Smithers.

When The Block contestants arrived for their Ceramics Challenge, their task was to create from clay something that would make the perfect addition to their homes.

But there was a second challenge for many when they arrived – trying to figure out how they already knew their new pottery teacher.

Joy Smithers on The Block in the ceramics challenge with contestants Sarah and George.

The woman introduced as Joy was clearly an instructor with a passion for ceramics and the ability to pass on the skills they’d need to turn a lump of clay into something beautiful, but why did they have the feeling they’d seen her somewhere before?

And then the penny dropped - their teacher was, of course, Joy Smithers, one of Australia’s most successful and best-loved actors, star of many iconic productions that made her famous, but as the contestants soon learned, that’s just part of her story.

Joy Smithers as Rose in All Saints with co-stars Erik Thomson and Georgia Parker.

Joy has also had a lifelong love of ceramics, producing a complete range of homewares, bowls, cups and more while continuing her work on stage and screen, returning to clay as often as possible.

“I've always loved ceramics,” she laughs. “I've been doing it all my life! It’s funny actually when I was 25, I applied for the National Art School and I was accepted to do the Ceramics Course, but that was just after (the mini-series) The Bangkok Hilton I’d been in was released in America.

Joy Smithers starred alongside Nicole Kidman in the mini-series Bangkok Hilton.

“None of the big stars were available to do the press tour over there, so I was asked and while I was in Los Angeles I got an agent, I got auditions and could have stayed there, but I said: ‘Hang on! I’ve got to go back to school!’ and there was this chorus of disapproval, but that was how important it was to me!”

Since then, the former model, turned actor and ceramicist continued to combine the artistic loves of her life, mixing acting with working at the potter’s wheel.

On Australian TV screens, Joy won fans with iconic roles in series including Stringer, The Flying Doctors, E-Street, Home and Away, Heartbreak High, Big Sky, All Saints and Wonderland.

Joy pictured on set in Namibia for Mad Max Fury Road. Joy turned down a role in the original film when her parents saw the violent script.

In Mad Max Fury Road, she played a member of the Vuvalini warrior women tribe, closing a circle that had started decades before when she was offered the role of Max’s wife in the original film but had to turn it down when her parents saw the violent script.

And all the while, she has also been creating with clay.

Batch# ceramics individually designed and handmade in Sydney.

It all feeds her artistic soul, she says, and appeals to the part of her that just loves to keep working.

“I can't even imagine how I could ever get bored, there are so many other projects I want to do with clay that I have already in my head. I just need to find time to get it done!”

In her current range at Batch# Ceramics, Joy has produced a complete range of hand-thrown tableware for home.

From bowls to plates, beakers to cake stands, pourers, vases, cake stands and much more, she’s creating art that’s as functional as it is beautiful, designed to be used every day or as a statement piece.

Joy's Batch# ceramics are individually created - each is unique with no two items the same. Photographer: Rob Palmer.

Designed and manufactured in Sydney by Joy, the pieces are individually created so no two items are the same.

Even the ingredients used to create the pieces are sourced with care, with clays chosen from different regions depending on how rainfall and nutrients have affected the soil, then glazed and fired carefully to guarantee each Batch# ceramic has its own character and is an original.

All ceramics are dishwasher proof and microwave safe.

“I love my products and I love what I do so much and I believe you can feel it in them,” Joy says, “with handmade things you can feel the love.”

"I am such a diehard Block fan and I’m still pinching myself that I was a part of it,” Joy tells The Block Shop.

And in a perfect moment of serendipity, it brought Joy to The Block, something’s she’s also happy to admit she loves.

Already a supplier to The Block Shop, the chance to actually be a part of the action was something Joy jumped at.

“Oh my god, I had a ball on The Block, it’s my favourite show, seriously!” she says.

“I've watched every season, I’ve driven past the houses to check them out, I am such a diehard fan and I’m still pinching myself that I was a part of it.”

Deb and Andy used Joy's beautiful ceramics to style their stunning 2019 Block home office.

Which brings her back to the contestants, by now budding ceramicists themselves after a challenge day they’ll never forget.

“I reckon all of them have got the ‘making gene’,” Joy says.

“They’re all on that show because they can make things, whether that’s textiles, carpentry, they all have that ability in them as a person so I reckon in time – and not a lot of time – I could easily make them into ceramicists!”
 

Take a look at Joy's stunning 'Batch Ceramics' HERE

Images with thanks to Joy Smithers and Batch Ceramics.