
Artist Bio
Renton's love for, and expectation that ones daily functional domestic items should be beautiful, began early on. His parents were both potters and at the time of his birth in 1981 they had recently established Nob Creek Pottery on the Central Queensland Coast. This provided a childhood environment and lifestyle that immersed him in the ceramic process.
After finishing his studies Renton started traveling, first in Australia and then based himself for a period in France and the UK. At twenty-one he returned home and began working at the family pottery as a production thrower.
Through his twenties Renton refined and developed his throwing skills, and developed a broad knowledge of glazing & decorating a domestic ware range, firing to stoneware in gas kilns. Over this period he was also involved in various wood firings in his fathers Anagama kiln, a salt kiln, a pit kiln and an Olsen's cross-draft wood-fired kiln.
In 2009 Renton met his partner and best friend Clare Botfield. They combined her qualifications and experience in visual arts and teaching with his ceramics knowledge and began running workshop programs and community grant projects.
In 2011, Renton setup his studio on his Byfield property and continues to produce a range of domestic ware, as well as producing exhibition artworks. In 2012 RADF grant funding allowed Renton to attend the Australian Ceramics Triennial conference in Adelaide. This was to be a timely experience that opened his eyes to his personal need to exhibit his work more widely. He returned from this conference determined to lift his profile as an artist.
2013 has seen Renton produce a major body of work, 'The Delta Series' which was inspired by the local environmental battle to stop massive coal port proposals for the Fitzroy Delta, which are currently undergoing government assessment.
In 2015 Renton and Clare relocated to Queensland's Sunshine Coast where they opened 'Cinnabar Soul' a retail shop in Eumundi selling there crafts, as well as opening a new studio space for Renton in Mount Coolum where he now facilitates pottery workshops.
He is excited about future prospects for his ceramics.