Ross has long admired Asian ceramics, in particular what he calls the 'anonymous folk craftsmen'. The term refers to the centuries old habit of not signing work, however beautiful and accomplished it may seem. For example, not a single piece of Sung ware bears the signature of it's maker.
At a time when most NZ potters buy their clay in sealed bags, Ross sources most of his from the Pahitua region, preferring to dig it himself whenever possible. He has the same DIY attitude to glazes, which he usually mixes himself.
Clearly, objects shaped by the human hand are still something people crave. For Ross, the way clay bends, stretches and folds is unsurpassed by any other medium. 'A lot of what I make from clay today imitates other materials such as steel and plastic. I believe the nature of the material is very important, why hide it?"