Creative Beka Hope on learning a new art form
Beka Hope’s Journey into a New Art Form
Unable to find the perfect pieces to brighten up her home, a creative Auckland resident used her lockdown time to learn a new art form.
From Graphic Design to Ceramics
Photographer and graphic designer Beka Hope spent countless hours online searching for the ideal plates to complement her vibrant, cozy Mt Eden apartment during the initial 2020 lockdown. “I searched every website for plates, but nothing matched my vision,” she recalls. “So, I decided to make my own.”
Beka, who was working as a freelance graphic designer, wanted to explore something hands-on to expand her creative skills. Her ceramics journey has taught her that creativity can be messy and unpredictable, but perseverance yields results.
The Learning Process
“As soon as I could, I bought a bag of clay and started creating,” she says. “I didn’t have any tools, so I tried hand-building. I used a wine bottle to roll out the clay and a kitchen knife for shaping.”
Plates are notoriously challenging for beginner ceramicists due to uneven drying, warping, or cracking in the kiln. Although Beka hasn’t yet used her creations for dining, she has developed a line of multicolored, speckled candlestick holders, vases, ramekins, and soap dishes.
Guidance and Trial
Her friend Krystal Opie, whom she met in art school a decade ago, provided guidance and answered her ceramics questions. However, the process involved many trials and errors. “I found a kiln in a Mt Wellington studio. A few pieces cracked in the kiln! There was a lot of trial and error. Glazing is quite intricate, but it’s rewarding when it works,” Beka shares.
Creating a Dedicated Space
Initially, Beka crafted her ceramics on her apartment’s front porch, sharing space with shoes, umbrellas, and other items. Fortunately, a neighbor moved out, leaving an empty shed. “I took over the shed and have been working on my ceramics there. It’s wonderful to have a dedicated space that doesn’t need daily cleanup!”
The shed also allowed her to create scented candles. She makes ceramic tumblers and pours wax into them. “My dream candle didn’t exist, so I made it—summer peach and vanilla,” she says with a smile. Her dream candles have been popular, with collections selling out quickly.
Embracing the Creative Process
Working with clay wasn’t easy for Beka, but she appreciates the unpredictability. “You have an idea, but it doesn’t always turn out as expected. You need to adapt. This experience has improved all my other work. I’ve learned that the creative process is messy, and sometimes it looks bad before it looks good. I’ve learned to persist, which is something I hadn’t fully embraced before.”
During a recent lockdown, Beka was away from her shed and took a break from ceramics. “I’ve had a short hiatus, but I can’t wait to create new pieces,” she says.
Many of Beka’s ceramics are used in her apartment, but they aren’t necessarily her best works. “I have a lot of pieces at home, mostly the imperfect ones. I sell the good stuff. I need to make some good pieces for myself too.”
Learn more about Beka’s projects at bekahope.com.
