Remembering Frederika Ernsten

Frederika Ernsten in 1992. John Cosgrove / Press Historic Collection

One of Ceramics New Zealand’s Honorary Lifetime Members Frederika Ernsten passed away in September 2024.

Born November 12, 1936; died September 14, 2024

Thanks to The Press for a comprehensive obituary of Frederika which you can read on their website. They describe her as ‘the mother of Canterbury pottery’.

Ceramics New Zealand member Jane McCulla sent us through some of her memories of Frederika.

On a personal level, I really valued her encouragement to get involved helping other potters and promoting the craft here. She was a very kind and open friend to me and I am honored to have known her through CPA and as CANZ  Canterbury /Westland RCM over the years. I learned so much from her regarding the pottery scene here in NZ and history of curating exhibitions and conferences. I really valued her advice and extensive knowledge as a long time master of her craft.
I know many of her class members have valued her straight talking style of grounded teaching and have upheld her strong purist pottery style in their own pottery careers.
It was a real pleasure knowing her for the time I’ve lived in New Zealand.

Many thanks to Jane for sharing her personal story.