Barry Brickell
Potter / Railway Engineer
Driving Creek Potteries and Railway
Coromandel, Waikato NZ
“The answer is having a passion and a vision, and not kowtowing to fashion, style or vogue.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationBarry Brickell
Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
Knew from a young age that he wasn't great at academic work, but he always loved to sculpt, make pots.
Everyone assumed he would go to university, get a degree and a stable job, but he wanted none of it.
Reluctantly got a degree and became a schoolteacher; was so unhappy he quit after one year, went back to pottery.
His dad told him making pots would be no way to support a family; Barry said, that's fine, I'm still going to do it.
Lived in poverty, but always preferred wearing raggedy clothes and "being free" to wearing a suit and tie.
His other interest was railroads: he invested all of his money on a plot of land and spent years building his own railroad.
Estate came to be named Driving Creek Potteries and Railway-combined his two passions in one space.
Says Driving Creek is successful because there's nothing else like it; "don't copy; be original."
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Potter / Railway Engineer
I designed and built the Driving Creek Railway and nature preserve but really all I want to do is make pots!
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Engineering
Building Things
Interviewed By
Auckland - Gisborne
The team visits a Maori museum and executive chef Kate Fay before interviewing dub and hip-hop musician Tiki Taane. On the way to Coromandel, the team interviews potter and railway engineer Barry Brickell, and horse trainer Tina Fagan. Finally, they head to Gisborne, where they spend time with organic winemakers Geoff & Nicola Wright.
