Pottery In Australia Vol 36 No 2 Winter 1997

Above: Joan Campbell assembling her ·Sunflowers'.
Claysculpt Gulgong. 1995
Right: Joan Campbell installing mural. h7m.
on many high profile committees for local universities and
arts bodies. She was a distinguished speaker, as many of
you remember from conferences, and was in much
demand on the national speaking circuit.
Joan was involved in the setting up of the Crafts
Council of Australia and was the first representative for
WA, along with Eric Carr. She was on the Boards of the
Australia Council and Community Arts. For her service to
the arts she received the MBE in 1978 and the Roz Bower
Memorial Award for Services to Community Arts in 1986.
Joan was also elected [0 the International Academy of
Ceramics in 1973, made a life member of the Crafts
Council of WA in 1984 and elected Foundation Fellow of
Curtin University, WA, in 1987.
Joan made an enOnnous contribution [0 the arts locally,
nationally and internationally. She will be greatly missed
here in W A but she has left much behind in her work and
in the way she touched our lives. 00
Sandra Black
This world doesn't see the like of people like Joan
Campbell often enough. Her ability to give, create,
communicate and care ahout the essence of living
was very special.
Joan gave to people from all walks of life· poners,
students, community artists, those involved in arts
administration, health care and local government.
Through her creativity and atritude to life Joan touched
people who would have never come into contact with the
arts and opened their eyes and hearts.
We have lost a special person, one 1 came to call friend
over the last 20 years. Over Christmas 1 worked with Joan
developing with her a series of glazes for her exhibition
'Crescendo' which opened in April this year. Glaze tests
were sent every few days express post as Joan directed
the colour and surface finish of her work. All this despite
her deteriorating health. In the last weeks she worked
intensively with Stewart Scrambler, Ian Dowling and
Warwick Parmateer on the glazing and firing of works.
There was always joy there in creating and resolving the
pieces, a joy that is conveyed to others who view the
finished exhibition. Joan's passion for her work was a
strong force until the very end of her life.
We all have our own memories to keep and treasure
having met or known a very special person. At peace
with life, Joan helped and touched so many people from
many walks of life with her enthusiasm and love. 00
Greg Daty
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