The collaboration between Nancybird founder Emily Wright and Kate Bowman began in October 2022 and reflects a shared commitment to slow, intentional design. After two years of thoughtful development and Kate’s move to Nipaluna / Hobart, the collection is a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship. Read on as we visit Kate in her new studio and reflect on her journey as an artist, her experience of working on this collab and what 'slow made' means to her. 

My work is deeply connected to the landscapes where I live and make, drawing inspiration from nature's rhythms - especially the patterns and textures I find during walks, from tidal movements to the remnants of creatures and materials washed ashore.

I rediscovered clay as an adult after tagging along to my mum’s pottery classes as a kid. It was actually my husband, Steve, who sparked my obsession when he gifted me a bag of clay for Chrissie seven years ago!

With a background in design, I've always been drawn to shapes and symbols as a form of storytelling. Today, my style leans toward a mid-century vibe, with a focus on dark, textural clays and glazes that emphasise the raw beauty of the materials.

Collaborating is one of my fave parts of the creative process. Pulling this collection together was like assembling a giant jigsaw puzzle. Each time Em and I met for a review, the pieces started to come together and the design became more refined.

Em is phenomenal at what she does, and working alongside her for nearly two years has given me a deep appreciation for the intricacies of textile design. My absolute favourite piece from the Slow Tide collection has to be the quilt. I audibly squealed when the first sample arrived! Each square is block printed and hand-stitched, and you can truly feel the love and craftsmanship from the artisans in Jaipur in every stitch. 

I owned a pottery school on the Mornington Peninsula, but was feeling burnt out and disconnected from my own practice. When Steve was offered a brilliant role in Hobart, we didn’t hesitate. Tassie felt like the perfect next chapter in our journey.

Home is now a super cute 1900s cottage in West Hobart, nestled in the shadow of kunanyi. At the end of our street is the stunning Knocklofty Reserve, a former brickworks and sandstone quarry. It’s scattered with rocks and remnants of the past which I’ve been collecting and developing into a range of highly textural glazes. This process has deepened my connection to the area and greatly influenced my work.

For me, "slow-made" is all about intention and contemplation. It’s about really getting to know my materials, their quirks, origins, and stories. When you’re working with gathered materials, there’s a lot of prep and processing involved, but that’s part of the beauty. As someone usually stuck in turbo mode, it forces me to slow down, connect with the process, and create pieces that really reflect the time, care, and thought put into them.

You can’t beat the breathtaking beauty of Bruny Island. Getting off the ferry, swinging through the oyster man drive-through, then pitching the van annex and putting our feet up… it’s pure bliss! Closer to home, the Cascade Trail behind the Cascade Brewery is another fave. With its mossy trees and waterfalls, it feels like walking through a Lord of the Rings set, and it’s only five minutes from the CBD. That’s Tassie for you!