Abbey Jamieson (2012)

Abbey Jamieson graduated from Daramalan College in 2012. She is now a Canberra-based Ceramic Artist and Art Educator. 

What did you do after finishing Daramalan College and what are you doing now? 

I’d been doing weekend pottery classes at Canberra Potters since I was 12 and wanted to develop my skills further through a university course. In 2013, I started at the ANU School of Art and Design. Originally my plan was to study Textiles as a pathway to Fashion Design, but eventually I changed to Ceramics. I had no plan for what I would do after graduation and went to Canada on an exchange program to get experience and clear my mind. In 2016, I graduated with my Bachelor in Visual Art and then with Honours in Ceramics. 

I have worked with clay ever since and have exhibited in multiple shows. Now I am Class Administrator and Shop Manager at Canberra Potters in Watson. Last year I also started teaching pottery classes. It makes me happy to share my love of clay with people. 

What is your fondest memory of your time at Daramalan?  

It was when I won the House Pride T-shirt for the Athletics Carnival in Year 7! I was SO proud! Across the chest reads ‘It’s grouse to love your house’ and I still wear it to this day. Cuthbert pride. 

Who was your favourite teacher? 

If I had to pick one, my Chemistry teacher, Mrs Singh. She was SO enthusiastic about sharing knowledge with her students. I loved how passionate she was about her subject matter, and I really responded well to her teaching style. I still remember Mrs Singh explaining how electrons move around the nucleus through what can only be described as interpretive dance. What an icon. I love that woman! 

What is your advice for current students?    

A life without curiosity is a life wrapped in bubble wrap. Let your inner kid out and pop that bubble wrap! Curiosity and excitement can lead you to so many opportunities. 

What is your idea of perfect happiness?    

Happiness for me is a warm cup of tea, cuddles with my cat, time in my garden, singing and dancing around the studio, making pots just because I can, playing and laughing with my beautiful nephews.

Have you faced any barriers in your life due to being a woman? If so, how did you overcome them?   

There were moments in my life when I was regarded as an object rather than a person. I’ve heard derogatory comments that made me very uncomfortable. Such words used to hurt me a lot, but with time I developed some strategies that make me feel stronger and give me more confidence. For example, if someone makes a misogynistic remark, I ask them to explain it in detail. I try to encourage deeper thoughts and self-reflection, which will hopefully help them understand the importance of lifting people up rather than putting them down. 

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?    

‘Stop should-ing all over yourself.’ 

If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be?    

Emma Watson, Jacinda Ardern, Laci Green. 

What did you dream of being when you were a little girl?    

Oh man, I had so many dreams!  

A vet because I loved animals. This dream ended the day I learnt that vets give their animal patients injections. 

A dancer because I loved dancing. 

A circus performer because it sounded like the coolest thing ever. 

I wanted to play the maracas. Not percussion though, exclusively the maracas. 

An actress because one of the ‘big girls’ at my dance school, Mia Wasikowska, went on to be an actress and I idolised her so much! 

An artist because I loved craft. 

A model because models are pretty. 

A crystal scientist because crystals are pretty. 

A singer like Niki Webster or the Spice Girls. 

What is the most important message you want to send out to young women?    

Don’t let others define your limits.  

If you want to do something and don’t succeed at first, figure out what you need to change to achieve your goal, and try again. Stubbornness is often portrayed as a negative trait but can be a powerful tool.