Tissie Chan, Gleaner Writer

Norma Harrack shows off one of her many creations. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Archbishop of York's visit to Jamaica came to a spectacular end on Thursday, October 11, during a cultural show at the Little Theatre.

There was music, dancing and poetry, all in his honour. Real thanks were expressed when both the Archbishop and his wife were showered with an array of beautiful gifts. However, the presents were not just tokens of thanks, but also substantial memories of Jamaica for Sentamu to take home.

Among these gifts were two ceramic pieces made by Norma Harrack. The internationally renowned artist was not surprised when approached and asked to make the piece. Harrack previously made one or two pieces for churches before. The commission was very specific, as she was asked to make a ciborium. Harrack explained to The Gleaner that she saw the commission as a "challenge" to which she wanted to "bring a difference".

In the past, Harrack made pieces for the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela and Colin Powell. For each commission, Harrack strives to personalise her work so that the client has "something they can relate to". The Archbishop's piece was certainly no exception.

All the materials used in the making of the chalice and plate were local. This, Harrack noted, was to give the Archbishop "a little bit of Jamaica". Sentamu's origins, too, were taken into account by the artist.

"I knew that he was from Africa, and so I wanted to make reference to that," she said.

Harrack is an expert on the history of pottery and is about to publish a book on the subject. With her specialist knowledge very much in hand, Harrack identified some traditional African ceramic forms called bosses, which she then used to great effect on the Archbishop's piece.

Harrack admitted to The Gleaner that the Archbishop of York was probably the person for whom she felt most honoured to have ever made a piece. All of her work is made with function in mind, and it "moved" her in a profound way to see the chalice used to serve communion.

Harrack's passion for her work simply radiates from her personality. Her studio is at home and evidence of her enthusiasm lies in every room. Her dining room's main function seems to be serving space to a clutter of beautifully crafted pots and plates.

Organised worker

Despite the clutter, Harrack is in fact a very organised worker. She works almost everyday from 6:00 a.m. until nightfall.

"Nothing is spontaneous," she explains. Every piece she plans carefully "from the conception to seeing it through right to the end".

Harrack is currently working mostly with series in mind. Each series has about eight or nine pieces and revolves around a certain theme. Nature is without a doubt the biggest theme to Harrack's work, and she readily draws on her environment to provide an inspiration. Whether it is rain, grass or simply the patterns of leaves in her front garden, Harrack harnesses these ideas to create wonderful textures, colours and forms in her ceramics.

"I love what I do!" Harrack exclaimed without prompting. "Money is definitely secondary to me - the creative process motivates me".

Although, with some pieces going for close to $60,000 in auction, the material value of her work is not something she seems to have to worry about.

Despite the clutter, Harrack is in fact a very organised worker. She works almost everyday from 6:00 a.m. until nightfall.

"Nothing is spontaneous," she explains. Every piece she plans carefully "from the conception to seeing it through right to the end".