Cart 
‘Tassie forces you to slow down and pay attention,’ ceramic artist Kate Bowman says.
Originally from Melbourne, Kate moved down to Hobart about two years ago, when her partner was offered a new job.
‘I’ve been coming to festivals and gigs in Hobart for years, so it already felt familiar. Some places just click, and I didn’t overthink the chance to give it a crack.’
It turned out to be a perfect match — both for her lifestyle and creative practice, which turns materials from the local geology, or post-industrial by-products, such as quarry dust, volcanic rock, and even hospitality waste into experimental ceramics.
‘The landscape is wild, the materials are literally under your feet, and there’s a deep respect for craft here,’ Kate says fondly of Hobart.
‘Instead of ordering materials from across the world, I can go for a walk with the dog and collect what I need.’
She’s also found herself at home within the city’s strong creative community: ‘People here are experimenting, pushing boundaries and genuinely invested in making things that matter.’
In addition to running hand-building courses and glaze workshops at her Hobart studio, Kate is currently in the middle of a 12-month residency with Design Tasmania and Regional Arts Australia.
The collaborative project explores how hospitality waste (think eggshells, bricks, glass or fryer oil) from local restaurants Dier Makr, The Agrarian Kitchen and Scholé can be reimagined as ceramic forms, like tableware or tiles.
Not only does this process give discarded material newfound purpose, but there’s an added layer of meaning, anchored by a connection to place.
‘When a piece contains materials from a local landscape or a venue people know, it carries a different kind of weight. It becomes more than just a nice object,’ Kate adds.
Having seen what makes Hobart so special first-hand, we asked Kate to share some of her favourite spots so you can experience Tassie like a local.
Explore all her recommendations in her own words below!
