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1 Jingdezhen… who is Diana Williams?

December 14, 2016 by Deanna Roberts Leave a Comment

2014 – Who is this Diana Williams bird?  We’re friends on Facebook… how did that happen?  Can’t remember.
1-who-is-diana-williams

Copyright – Diana Williams 2016 (published with permission)

There’s her post of an image of one of her finest creations – this incredible artistry.  Wow!  What an amazing piece of work!  The image of a life-sized baby clinging to a missile grabs my immediate attention and I marvel at this bedazzling talent.  Her website gives me enough information to know that I simply must contact her.  I could only imagine how much work was involved in putting this piece together, let alone sculpting a life-sized baby.  I simply had to speak to this woman, Diana Williams.  I thought it would be a marvellous idea for her to come and speak to my pottery group, Treefern Potters, about her journey into clay and her inspiration behind her creativity and expertise.

Deanna Roberts - Pit-fired Exhibition pieces 2015/2016

Deanna Roberts – Pit-fired Exhibition pieces 2015/2016 (© Deanna Roberts 2016)

Facebook messages and 90 minute phone calls later… we have talked about her, her family, the influence that war, and how this has affected her family over the years, has had on her work.  We agreed to meet first.  (To this day we still haven’t done the speaking gig thing… funnily enough).  I like how this bird’s mind works.  I can see we’re going to get along just fine.  Treefern Potters was holding an exhibition and sale at the local community centre and Diana popped in to say hello.  We had a lovely long chat and I introduced her to the other members of the group and she was off and running.  I like her.  What a beautiful soul.  From that point, there were more coffee catch-ups and lots of talking, visiting each others’ studios and artworks.  Instant rapport.  This was my kind of friend.

It’s a long trek to her home.  I reminisce about driving this route many years ago, every day – to and from working in the city.  Its a long way from everything and I’m greeted with open arms, warm chicken and salad for lunch.  Her hubby disappears after a short introduction and we chat like we’ve known each other forever.  We laugh a lot and share stories.  You know you’ve got a true friend when its all just so easy and you don’t have to try.  Truth is easy.  Laughing is a cinch.

Diana takes me through her home and explains how each piece has come about  She empties out these beautifully-decorated, embossed fabric boxes, each of which contains her prize pieces.  Its a tragedy that they’re shut away where no one can see them.  The occasional exhibition is simply not enough.  Its a crime to keep such talent under wraps.  Then she shows me that Facebook piece ‘Innocence’.  The baby on the missile has a $20k+ price tag and I get to hold it.  My God.  I’m gob-smacked.  The work… the story… the craftsmanship… the technique.  I’m blown away.  If I haven’t told her once, I’ve told her a million times; her work should be in the Louvre.

Next stop… my place.  Oh dear… will this be embarrassing… comparing my works to hers?  I think I’m looking forward to this.  I think…

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