My ceramic work explores the deep cultural connections between Greece, my husband’s ancestral homeland, and Australia, where we live. Both countries are dry lands surrounded by water, and this shared geography shapes our stories, myths, and daily experiences. In Melbourne, home to a vibrant Greek diaspora, I have witnessed how traditions and heritage are carried across continents, blending with Australian culture to create new narratives. Inspired by Greek and Byzantine mythology, as well as contemporary Australian life, my series Naiad Stories brings together ancient and modern imagery. I use hand-built and slip-cast forms, drawing on motifs such as water serpents, nymphs, and animals, alongside contemporary figures like a girl carrying water. The shapes of my jugs and cups are based on ancient vessels, serving as metaphors for life and our enduring relationship with water. Through these works, I connect stories from both cultures, reflecting on how water is central to our fears, hopes, and sense of renewal. My ceramics become a meeting point for Greek, Byzantine, and Australian influences, celebrating our shared heritage and the significance of water in shaping identity and community.

 

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Anne Kwasner, Naiad Drift, 2026, clay, underglaze, glaze, gold lustre, 24 x 40 x 27 cm.