Saddler’s Court Gallery


offers the work of more than 100 Tasmanian artists and crafts people. We choose each piece personally, not in terms of what is fashionable or what sells best, but according to its ability to reflect something of Tasmania.

Derek Smith

Born in the UK in 1931, Derek migrated to Australia in 1956. In Sydney, he lectured at the National Art School for 19 years and established and ran various studios and galleries.  Moving to Tasmania, Derek established and ran Oakwood Studio and Gallery and remained living and working here for over 20 years.  Derek then lived and worked in Italy for about 10 years before moving back to Tasmania where he continues his work as a master craftsman.

Derek’s ceramics express formal simplicity derived from the sphere, cylinder and basic geometric elements. They are fired at the higher temperature range of stoneware and porcelain. Some pieces are finely worked and quite small, while others, in heavily textured clay, are large and robust. At times he uses gold, platinum and copper metallic surfaces and sandblasts through to the glaze.  
 
Having exhibited his ceramic works throughout Australia, UK, Italy, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, the USA and Switzerland, his works are held in public and private collections throughout the world.