The Art of Pottery
We're delighted to partner with Robert Gordon Pottery to present the Robert Gordon High Tea Room during the Archibald Prize 2022 exhibition.
The Gordon family have been designing and making pottery since 1945 and pride themselves on craftsmanship built up over three generations. Made to last a lifetime, their Australian designed and imported collections are created with a strong focus on innovation and quality.
History of Robert Gordon Pottery
Over forty years ago, Robert ‘Andy’ Gordon walked into a ten by eight-foot tin shed, picked up a lump of clay and turned his potter's wheel. The Pack Track Pottery was born. But the story and inspiration for Robert Gordon dates long before 1979 and a rickety homemade studio
Robert’s mother, the renowned Australian potter June Dyson, set up her studios in 1945. June formed a formidable partnership with her husband Colin who became the company’s business director.
June’s second son Robert showed most interest in the pottery, helping in the studios from his early twenties. It was inevitable that Robert would one day follow in his mother’s footsteps. And having married his English wife Barbara, the couple set about moulding their dream.
Barbara emigrated from the UK, bringing with her English design sensibilities, a love of colour and all things practical. She was the driving force behind the designs and the product, operating as Robert Gordon's Creative Director for more than 40 years - a role now held by her daughter Kate.
By 1987 it was time for the company to expand. A factory in Pakenham was bought and Robert Gordon had grown from a tin shed with a dirt floor to a large purpose-built headquarters.
What was once known as the Pack Track Pottery has now developed into a large production pottery, employing over 35 staff. From supplying wares to Sunday tourists at the St Kilda markets, to providing some of the world’s most reputable retailers and restaurants with quality ceramics, those early years spent as a studio pottery means we still place enormous importance on the craft of pottery.
To keep up with the times and the demand, RGA is not only a manufacturer of bespoke Australian made pottery these days but an importer too. Designs dreamed up at our Pakenham HQ are sent off to China to be made into the pieces that become part of the ever-popular collections we are so proud of.
A love of pottery has been handed down from June Dyson to Robert and his children. The family has been immersed in the world of ceramics for over seventy years. This is a story unlike any other pottery in Australia.
Robert Gordon Pottery
www.robertgordonaustralia.com
114 Mulcahy Rd, Pakenham
Ph: 03 5941 3144
Facebook: @RobertGordonPottery
Instagram: @robertgordonpottery
