The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 1 April 2013

Tribute to Janet Mansfield
As editor of Pottery in Australia. Janet Mansfield is
shown here Interviewing Ivan McMeekin In the 1970s.
Photo: courtesy Margaret Tuckson
The Crafts M ovement in Australia: A History
by Grace Cochrane
Janet Mansfield OAM (1934-2013)
The Australian Ceramics Association was saddened to hear of the recent passing of Janet Mansfield.
Many members will have met Janet and most will have benefited from the many contributions she
made to the field of ceramics. As an artist she inspired many and her strong woodfire and salt-glazed
work demonstrated a singularly consistent vision . As a writer and publisher she forged new ground in
bringing out the international journals, Ceramics Art and Perception and Ceramics Technical while
her books on ceramics form a solid backbone amongst published works in the area . Janet donated her
time to a long string of public roles: President of the Polters Society of Australia (1985-86), the Craft
Council of NSW (1972-73), the Ceramic Study Group of NSW (1968-69) and the International Academy
of Ceramics (2006-12), amongst others.
The Association would like to particularly acknowledge the position Janet held as editor of Pottery in
Australia (now The Journal of Australian Ceramics) from 1976-1989. A personal remembrance by
longtime friend Judy Boydell is published in this issue while in the July issue 52/2 a number of colleagues
will offer their memories of the energetic and extraordinary Janet Mansfield. She will be sorely missed.
Dr Patsy Hely
President, The Australian Ceramics Association
THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS APRil 2013
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