"I have been an animal lover for as long as I remember. It was not until 2011 where both passions of Art and Animals crossed paths for me successfully, this was when I discovered clay. I had worked in other mediums earlier on but nothing came quiet as natural as clay. Clay can interpret texture, movement and depth much like that of animal fur and feathers.

After travelling NZ in my bus for seven years I spend a short time in Napier, where I was introduced to clay. I made the decision to move back to Dunedin in 2014 to study for my Diploma in Ceramics at Otago Polytechnic.

With sheer determination and hard work I am a full time artist working from my home studio in Dunedin.

Recurring themes in my ceramics are that of relationships and symbolism- in addition to an arrow tattoo that belonged to my beloved Grandfather. I use two red circles around the eye to represent the circle of awareness, both to the study of the animal and environment, and to the interaction with the work itself. The sculptures are loosely textured and the work of the maker is evident in the clay."

- Kylie J Matheson