Barry Brickell: Potter

This upbeat National Film Unit award-winner is about late artist, conservationist, and rail enthusiast Barry Brickell. Filmed at his first home studio in the Coromandel, it follows the progress of his large-scale works from start to finish. Accompanied by a jazzy soundtrack, Brickell works his clay alone in the sun. Amidst the five-finger and harakeke of the Coromandel bush, the making of New Zealand art has never looked more picturesque. The short was made as part of the Pictorial Parade series. Brickell died on 23 January 2016, at the age of 80. Read more about Brickell’s life and work in this backgrounder.

Barry Brickell is one of that small group of New Zealanders who have surrounded themselves, either by accident or by design, with the romantic aura of the artistic recluse, the 'man alone'. Many recognise and perhaps even envy a certain glamour attached to a successful potter living in a remote area of the Coromandel coast. On his property where he can dig and mix his clays, Brickell makes his pots, as well as indulging in a passion for homemade railways.    

– Narrator Alan Jervis introduces Barry Brickell, at the start of this film

Key Cast & Crew

David Jordan

Commentary Writer, Editor

Lynton Diggle

Director, Cinematographer

Ron Bowie

Producer

Geoffrey Scott

Producer

Alan Jervis

Narrator

Kit Rollings

Sound