Ceramicist Lyn Sendeckyj thinks creativity is just problem solving (and Kylie Minogue solves most kitchen problems)
You might know ceramicist Lyn Sendeckyj as Sailorboi. Why Sailorboi? It’s just one of those great nicknames that stuck.
He has always tried to find something to do with his hands and for 13 years he’s been up to his elbows in clay and glazes as the owner of Sailorboi Studio, his pottery school in Brunswick.
photo @mel.glav
From his studio, Lyn not only creates his own very personal and often hilarious ceramic pieces, with his fabulous chihuahua Cindy by his side, he also teaches pottery classes and workshops.
After time spent in the hospitality and retail wilderness, working a host of random jobs, Lyn decided to make pottery a more substantial part of his life. Teaching lights him up, and he loves watching his students start their pottery journey from scratch and improve week by week. He finds that his students are always offering different and new ways of looking at his favourite medium, inspiring him constantly.
Lyn has Italian and Ukrainian heritage and grew up with his Mum’s parents cooking him huge Italian feasts regularly. He loves handmade pasta because it makes him think of the time it takes to make it, seeing it as a huge act of care.
A QUICK WHIP AROUND THE INGREDIENTS THAT MAKE UP Lyn
PRONOUNS: He / Him
HOMETOWN: Naarm / Melbourne
JOB DESCRIPTION: Ceramicist and Pottery teacher
When you see his work, you’ll notice lots of text. Lyn got into using text because he was so embarrassed by his handwriting and wanted to subvert this by putting it out there as an art piece for all to see. Originally, the text explored ideas he found cheeky and interesting, but as the works began to sell, he began to incorporate ideas about the building blocks of who he is - exploring where he sits within queer, stoner, skater and mental health spaces (particularly ADHD).
We go a little deeper into Lyn’s journey with ADHD and talk not only about the frustrations, but also about its superpowers. Yes, he’ll get to a point in the day where he looks around his studio and finds that there’s 83 tasks started and nothing finished…then realises his students are turning up really soon and he has to prepare feverishly before class starts. He is, however, blessed with the ADHD superpowers of hyperfocus, meaning that if he’s really into something, nothing is stopping him from working on it and finishing it spectacularly. Lyn was tender enough to take us further into his mental health journey, sharing that for a period in his life, he experienced eating disorders. A gentle trigger warning for that at the 17 minute mark. Some resources here.
Picnic Cup - Can I Be Mean For A Second? Hand thrown cup, available here
For Lyn, the Starving Artist stereotype is relatable but he believes that it’s also not the only way to exist in a space. “You can interact with creativity in so many different ways, it doesn’t have to be your full time thing”. When it comes to the Starving Artist stereotype being used against him, he shares that “You feel like you have to justify your existence when people say stuff like that. You feel like you have to explain why this is your path. I work 12-14 hour days, 6 days a week - it’s a lot of work”. He believes that art work is real work and deserves to be understood in that context.
Image via Happy Days for Broadsheet
Although we won’t be stealing Lyn’s vegemite toast anytime soon (his ratios are not to our liking), we are demanding that he actually make his “Art Vs Food” piece - not sure what that is? You’ll have to listen in. All we can say is that Marcel Duchamp would be delighted by Lyn’s ingenuity and humour.
We were absolutely thrilled to have Lyn on our couch for such a heartfelt, insightful and hilarious chat, so grab a snack and join us to hear all about What Lyn Eats.
WHAT LYN SENDECKYJ EATS
PHLY PHO
Lyn’s recipe is a luscious pho soup - warm, spicy and meaty (but only if you like!). It’s great after a cold day in the studio and is easy to make.
Tips:
keep the beef really pink inside because the broth will cook it, don’t be scared of the pink meat!
Lyn loves the thai basil - you only need a little bit of it and it goes a long way
Kylie Minogue is a crucial addition to his kitchen soundtrack, so be sure to honour Lyn and Queen Kylie herself when you try this recipe at home
Cindy!!!!!!!!!
LINKS & MENTIONS
LINKS TO ARTIST INFORMATION, RESOURCES AND ANYTHING ELSE WE CHATTED ABOUT
XL Open Bowl 1 - Ocean Swirls
INFORMATION AND TAKEAWAYS FROM OUR CHAT
Want some great cheap ceramic tools? Head to the kitchen section of your local op shop and dig around for some interesting items that you can use on your clay
Feeling brave? Make art about something you’re embarrassed about and share it with people you trust
Need a soundtrack for your next cooking adventure? Here’s a start