John O'Loughlin

John O’Loughlin’s practice is rooted in both craft and contemplation. His journey began with eight years of education at St. Francis Xavier Seminary in Adelaide, an experience that would later shape his artistic inquiries. Starting out with pottery as a hobby in 1983 before becoming a central pursuit after his retirement.

On retiring O'Loughlin studied full-time at the Arts Academy, University of Ballarat (now Federation University), graduating with a Master of Arts. This was followed by more than a year as Artist in Residence at the ceramics studio under the mentorship of the late Peter Pilven, Master Potter.

O’Loughlin’s work revolves around the question of faith, drawing from his Catholic upbringing and its enduring focus on miracles, the afterlife, and the ‘Cult of the Saints’. These reflections take form in reliquaries, shrines, and ceremonial vessels, each a tangible meditation on his central question: Do I believe in miracles?

Surface is a vital element in his work. Using crusting and crazing engobes, surface textures are reminiscent of a piece just rescued from an archeological site - aged and antiquated. Alongside this conceptual work, O’Loughlin holds a deep affection for the potter’s wheel, creating vessels inspired by sights on his travels,  particularly the amphorae and storage jars raised from Roman shipwrecks in the Dalmatian Straits.