Ceramic Artist | Educator | Author | Curator

Sydney, Australia | leonardsmith.com.au | tenmoku.org

Professional Summary

Australian ceramicist with over five decades of experience as an artist, educator, and researcher. Widely published author and internationally exhibited potter, known for expertise in traditional Asian pottery forms such as Jian Ware. Adept in curation, academic leadership, and cultural exchange, with a long-standing commitment to elevating Australian ceramics on the global stage.

Academic Qualifications

- PhD Candidate, Australian National University (Enrolled 2014)

- MA Visual Arts(Hons), Sydney College of the Arts Sydney University(1983–1988)

- Post Certificate in Ceramics, National Art School (1980)

- Diploma in Teaching, Sydney Teachers College Sydney University(1978–1979)

- Certificate in Ceramics, National Art School (1973–1974)

- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (2013)

Professional Experience

President, Ceramic Study Group (2018–Present)

Director, Rosedale Street Gallery (1998–Present)

Head of School of Art & Design, Hornsby College of TAFE (1987–1993)

Joint deputy Head of the , National Art School (1993–1995)

Editor of Pottery in Australia  

President, Potters’ Society of Australia (Multiple Terms, 1979–1996)

Curator, Myth Magic and Madness (1994); Potters 96 (1996)

Member International Academy Of Ceramics,Geneva, UNESCO ( 2025- present)

International Engagement & Research

Intensive research into the origins of Song Dynasty Black glazed Jian ware. 8 trips to China  (2014-20 25). Multiple research access to collections in US university and major  galleries

Presenter at Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC (2015)

Presentation at NCECA, USA (2015)

Fieldwork in, Japan, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Europe on historical ceramics and kiln studies

Organiser of multiple cultural exchanges and residencies including for Papua New Guinea artists in Australia

Selected Solo Exhibitions

Artlook, Sydney; 1987

The Potters’ Gallery; 1989, 1990, 1992

Upstairs Gallery SCA; 1988

Art & Craft Forum, Glebe; 1995.1996

Possum Brush Gallery, Taree 1992

Long Gallery, University of Wollongong; 2010 2023

Art for Arts Sake Gallery, Wollongong 2012

Over 20 solo exhibitions , Rosedale Street Gallery Dulwich Hill (1998–2025)

Selected Group Exhibitions

Taoxichuan Spring Fair Jingdezhen China 2025

Clay Dynasty, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney (2022–23)

Ceramic Triennial Exhibition, ANU Canberra (2022)

“First State ’88”, Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour

Teapot Shows, ICCW Gallery (2005–2012)

“Craftworks”, Darling Harbour (1988) National and international woodfire exhibitions (1989–1991)

Collections Featuring Work

Powerhouse Museum, Sydney

Manly Art Gallery and Museum

NSW State Parliamentary Librar

Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery, TAS

Kasahara University, Japan

City of Koblenz, Germany

Taixichuan Ceramic Art Avenue Galley, Jingdezhen ,China

Numerous university and TAFE art collections across Australia

Publications & Writing

Co-author, A Handbook for Australian Potters (1984, Methuen)

Co-author The Australian Pottery Handbook (2024, CSG Publishing)

Over 70 articles and reviews for Pottery in Australia and other ceramic journals 1975-2010.

Creator of the research blogs: leonardsmith.com.au & tenmoku.org

Professional Memberships

Inetrnational Academy of Ceramics

Australian Ceramic Association(Life Member) formally the Potters Society of Australia

National Association of Visual Artists

Crafts Council of NSW - Vice President

Ceramic Study  Group - President