Ingot Soap was brought into being in Hughes, Canberra in 2021.
I’ve long been drawn to the transformation of the ordinary into art, and by mixing two methods of soap crafting I can bring a sense of wonder and intrigue to something that has traditionally been utilitarian, creating an object that evokes thoughts, feelings and memories.
I consider my soap an expression of the experience of pandemic, where we have been forced to look inwards instead of outwards, to sit with what is right before us, rather than what is beyond.
I see this as an opportunity to breathe, and to bring into focus that which truly matters, a gift of the space of engagement with our local surroundings often in new and surprising ways.
I can often be found at local art galleries, where I find inspiration for my work. I also find value in spending time in the surrounds of Canberra, where the tension between the natural landscape and it’s traditional owners, and the colonial history of exploitation, especially with mining, resonate with me deeply.
My work is inspired by the history and environment of Canberra and it’s surrounds. Using the finest sustainably sourced vegan ingredients, essential oils and natural colourants, we aspire to create a product that is both natural, uniquely perfumed and visually interesting. All of our products are created in small batches, rough cut and fully hand crafted by a woman-owned business in Canberra.
Julia McGowan
Soap Smith