Peter's Do

There was not a parking spot to be found near the ASP on Friday night as a multi-generational, multi-national crowd turned out to celebrate Peter and his contribution as a Director of Auckland Studio Potters.

Lanterns and flaming torches transformed the courtyard where revellers surrounded an open fire pit (of course!), most welcome on a clear but crisp evening. Mike and Chris produced gourmet wood-fired pizzas at the build-your-own station and a magnificent buffet, laid out under a marquee, was swiftly consumed together with appropriate liquid refreshments as we caught up with old friends and listened to music from Helen Adams and her partner, playing on the veranda.

Unfortunately Michael Billington (immediate past President) couldn't be there so Wally, as a former President, stepped up to say a few words. And then, from the darkness of the car park, heralded by Alex on the bagpipes, a small procession emerged into the light bearing a special gift which was presented to Peter by Renton. Conceived and made by Lois, Rhonda and Jeff Thomson, this doctoral gown and mortar board seems so right for Peter, for our view of his place at ASP and in our lives at any rate, that it deserves a bit of a description.

The robe is beautifully made and just about the colour of well-aged damp stoneware; the lining of the hood is recycled lamb's wool, the colour of a well-fired terracotta, and previously used in a home furnishing capacity. Gold teapots, cups and saucers adorn the lower front of the gown and miniature gold Lange bricks are scattered across its field. The front top fastening is a genuine Lange gingerbread figure and the rosettes and chains of the double row of frogging are in wonderfully patinated corrugated iron, also by Jeff Thomson. The ASP logo on the back of the gown is revealed in the swing of the pleated fabric as Peter strides past. The mortar board, complete with tassel and also by Jeff, matches the frogging and crowns the outfit.

I suspect Peter hates ceremony, at least the organised kind. However he is, among many other things, a potter, an artist, an inventor, a master bricklayer, a teacher, a New Zealander and a laughing man who likes a cup of tea. And so this gown fits him to a T. He wore it for the rest of the evening and I noticed that he brought it back to the studio on Monday to show his class.

After Peter's speech, gracious, kind and funny as always, part of the party moved inside to view Peter's famous slide show. I do hope we have it in our DVD library since I missed it again. Outside, guitars came out and the laughter carried on.

As the party wound down Alex picked up the pipes again and we all experienced that wonderful emotional tristesse that the skirl of the bagpipes can produce.

Thank you Peter for inspiring this event and a big thank you to the hosts for a memorable evening.?

(Source: ASP Newsletter)