Anne Ronjat

Anne Ronjat


"I was born in Paris in 1968. My mother was a textile designer. I remember spending hours drawing next to her… At times she would slide my best drawing inside her portfolio! In this way I sold my first pattern for a fabric when I was 6 years old!

In my early twenties, I started working with clay and completed a ceramics diploma in 1990 through the CNIFOP (school of ceramics in Nevers, south of Paris). Then I traveled around France as part of a 3 year apprenticeship with renowned ceramicists such as Vanier, Deverchere and others. During this live in apprenticeship, I learnt many techniques and design styles steepped in the ceramic tradition of their region.

In 1994 I moved to Australia and started working as a thrower/decorator until I created my own range of fine functional ceramics in 1997.

I secured a studio space in Gasworks Arts Park in Melbourne from where I began creating ceramic sculptural works. In 2002 I was invited to participate in the Becton Sculpture Biennale and created a life-size trio of figurative works which helped me to create a platform for my sculptural practice. This lead to a solo sculpture exhibition at Husk, Alafia Gallery, and Mingara Gallery and numerous group shows throughout Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Becoming involved in sculpture broadened my outlook as a designer. I released several ranges of limited editions sculptures and started to design functional ware for other companies. I created several exclusive ranges for Husk, including their tea set which for the last decade has been a best seller through out Australia. In 2007 I designed and hand threw exclusive winter and summer ranges for Country Road.

My own White range is currently retailing through boutiques, galleries, spa retreats and interior designers. For the last 5 years Mark Tuckey has sold my complete tableware range in the Melbourne store and more recently in the new Sydney store.

Last year, from the north coast of NSW near Byron Bay, I started applying new mediums on ceramics such as cut stones, silver and gold leaves while also branching out into new directions with textiles and jewelry.

  I then travelled overseas to expand my knowledge base in jewelry design and practical studies in silversmithing. Now, back in Melbourne, having restocked my suppliers with tableware, I’m pursuing the development of new designs, sculptural forms and hand painted tiles to coincide with the launch of my jewelry range in 2012."

Anne Ronjat