This season we’re spending time with Madi Luschwitz, a South Coast artist whose clay vessels, spirit creatures and mixed-media work seem to carry a little magic in them. Here she shares what’s filling her days, her mind, her hands and her heart right now.
Tell us a little about you...
My name is Madi Luschwitz and I’m an artist living and creating on Murramarang land on the South Coast of Australia. Clay is my current medium, but I love dancing between paint, found objects and embroidery work.
My life is in a busy season (and has been for the last seven years, really, ha). My hubby and I have 7-year-old triplet boys who are wild, funny, sensitive and rough and tumble. We also run our own sauna and ice bath business, The Heal Zone, in Milton. So life at the moment is a lot of unfinished lists and racing out the door. I make time for my art, and I try my best to save time for stillness and connection too.
Whats in your ears?
My kids are obsessed with the Harry Potter audiobooks, so rarely a day goes by where we’re not all listening to Stephen Fry’s animated voice taking us on magical adventures.
I’m also listening to the audiobook of Wifedom by Anna Funder, about George Orwell’s first wife and her unacknowledged input into his work. I’m intrigued by stories that shine a light on women who have been painted out of history, and by how fascinating their untold tales are.
I loved the episode with Flea on Bella Freud’s podcast Fashion Neurosis.
And I’ve been playing “Dreams” by The Cranberries a lot. Dolores’s voice is so beautiful, straight from her heart.
Whats filling your mind?
I’m dreaming up a solo exhibition at the moment. I’m loving looking at ancient pottery forms for inspiration, as well as creatures from origin fairy tales or ones that show up in my day-to-day life. I really believe in animal messages: when you have a special encounter with a plant or animal, it’s never a coincidence. There’s a deeper meaning and lesson to be gained from it. That always lights up an idea and pushes a work forward for me.
I’m a big reader and always have something on the go. Right now I’m chipping away at Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés and East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
An absolute favourite read lately was The House That Joy Built by Holly Ringland. It’s about giving yourself permission to create while connecting with the pleasure and joy of it. I love how much of it is simply about being an ally and friend to yourself in the process.
And what is in your hands?
My hands are everything to me. I express so much with them, and I find it easier to sculpt a feeling than to talk about it.
Lately they’ve been working with a lot of clay, hand-building mugs, spirit creatures and big pots inspired by ancient vessels. Everything is in its raw, unfired stage right now, before the colour and texture step in. Soon my hands will be deep in the glazing and painting process.
And our favourite, what is true to your heart right now?
A big truth for me right now is learning to honour my body and nervous system with slowness. Yoga, sunshine, walks, phone-free time. I’m being more intentional with the moments that restore my energy. I’m also realising that when I’m kind and thoughtful towards myself, my creative channels flow so much more smoothly.
Sometimes going for a walk is the art practice: gathering ideas, feelings and colours from Mother Nature. It’s a daily practice and it doesn’t always go to plan. As a busy mum with other things on the go, it’s about putting myself back on that list of important things.
Follow Madi's journey at Madi.luschwitz.artist
