This vase has an unusual shape in which the conventional sides have been replaced by enfolding leaf-like segments. It has an organic feel and shows Irene Spiller’s desire to move beyond traditional ceramic forms. Spiller said that she enjoyed the freedom of expression provided by clay and that not being tied to orthodox forms gave her the chance to express herself more freely. The vase is made from porcelain and has the greygreen, celadon glaze often associated with that material. Spiller did make finely thrown bowls and cut bottles but was more interested in hand-built forms, such as this one. Spiller trained at the Canterbury College School of Art, where she studied design, landscape painting, still-life painting and life drawing. She then found work as a commercial artist. In 1965 Spiller began working with clay, studying under New Zealand potter Michael Trumic. She was admitted to the New Zealand Society of Potters in 1966. Spiller exhibited with the Society of Potters from 1969 to 1978 and participated in group exhibitions throughout New Zealand.