Past Exhibition

21 MARCH – 5 MAY 2024

Surfacing.

What’s on the surface is a manifestation of what lies within. Like human skin or a landscape; surfaces map experience and the passage of time. The surface tells the story of an object through its marks and scars.

The surface of my work is marked and textured, layered with slip and glaze, salt and ash. Through the process of making and firing some layers are revealed and some are obscured. These surfaces tell of my experience working with clay, my response to the material and of the ceramic traditions that influence and inform my work.

– Moraig McKenna, 2024

Surfacing is a solo exhibition by Gundaroo artist Moraig McKenna. 

Moraig has been working with clay for over 30 years and for the majority of that time her focus has been on wood fired pottery in long firing Anagama style kilns and wood fired salt kilns.

In 2001 she received a Master of Arts by research as part of which she developed a porcelain clay body specifically for wood firing Research into porcelain in wood and salt firing continues to be a rich and rewarding part of her practice.

Moraig has travelled extensively internationally, speaking at conferences, conducting workshops and exhibiting most recently in China but also in Singapore, the United States, and Korea.

Her work is held international and national private and public collections including the Canberra Museum and Gallery.

2 FEBRUARY – 17 MARCH 2024

Australia’s premier satirical art prize, the Bald Archy Prize, celebrates the lighter side of art and the larrikin Australian spirit, hosting portraits that will make you think, make you talk and most of all make you laugh.

Created in 1994 as a spoof of that more serious competition, the Bald Archy Prize provides artists of all styles and standards with a genuine opportunity to create portrait paintings of humour, dark satire, light comedy or caricature. Known internationally as the only art competition in the world to be judged by a sulphur-crested cockatoo named Maude, the satirical side of this event encapsulates the irreverent, larrikin Australian spirit in a way that appeals to people from all walks of life.

2024 Bald Archy Portrait Prize Winner

The 2024 Bald Archy Prize was awarded to artist Judy Nadin, for her work Flippin’ Kerfection, a satirical caricature depicting Australian professional soccer player Sam Kerr OAM’s iconic celebratory backflip in exaggerated action.

“I painted the Aussie legend, that is the Matildas’ captain Sam Kerr, because like most of Australia I rode the Matildas wave during the 2023 World Cup. The joy and unity that our country felt, I wanted to capture that important moment in time for my entry. I painted Sam doing her trademark back flip, because the entire country was doing backflips after that quarter final match,” said winner Judy Nadin.

Ms Nadin won the $10,000 prize for her painting after it was announced at the Canberra Potters and Watson Arts Centre on Friday 15 March 2024.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

23 – 25 JANUARY 2024

Simon Ward (Scotland) joined Canberra Potters as artist-in-residence from October 2023 to January 2024, creating an exciting body of work during his three months in the studio. His residency concluded with a special three-day exhibition and farewell event, where friends, students, and members gathered to celebrate his time with us and wish him safe travels.

Simon’s practice explores the throw-away, damaged, and rejected ceramic artefact, often reimagining fragments of blue and white willow pattern, old tiles, and once-loved ornaments. These elements become the backdrop for his unexpected and playful compositions. Birds, fish, and other creatures frequently appear in his work, sparking curiosity and humour while elevating everyday objects into new and surprising visual narratives.

The farewell event on Thursday 25 January at 6pm marked not only the close of Simon’s residency but also a celebration of the creativity, generosity, and imagination he shared with our community.

Image: Works in progress by Simon Ward

28 SEPTEMBER – 22 OCTOBER 2023

Opening 6pm Thursday 28 September by Jodie Cunningham, CEO + Artistic Director of Craft + Design Canberra.

About the Exhibition:

Plants, flowers and clay share common origins as they emerge from the earth’s crust.

Emerging from the Earth: Clay & Flowers challenges the common misconception of floral design as being relegated to “flowers in vases”. Experimental floral designers are pushing the boundaries in their work with flowers and other plant materials, to move beyond utility or decoration into a more considered creative response to a clay object. 

This exhibition, curated by Eve Sawa (VoxFlora) and Narelle Phillips (brave botanics), showcases pairings of botanic and ceramic artists as a symbiotic relationship between the plant material and the vessels which contain or sustain them. This flow of materiality is not limited to the conventional notion of the botanical parts being restricted within the confines of the vessel itself. The flowers or plant materials may instead appear in unexpected and exciting ways. 

This expanded view of the relationship between a ceramic host and its botanical occupant speaks of the very nature of their existence and respective origins, often occurring in tandem.

Participating Artists:

Abbey Jamieson & Caitlin Buckler Jones 

Jacqui Keogh & brave botanics

Julie Paterson & Adele Rae Cameron 

Fran Romano & Amy Kerr-Menz

Tony Steel & Kate Ahmad 

David Suckling & VoxFlora

24 AUGUST – 24 SEPTEMBER 2023

Opening: 6pm Thursday 24 August by Maryke Henderson.

Artist Talk: 6pm Friday 25 August, entry by gold coin donation.

About the Exhibition:

Sharing an appreciation for a minimalist philosophy, this exhibition presents the ceramic pieces created by Christine Murphy alongside the paintings by Sandra McMahon. This exhibition explores the relationship between 3-dimensional form and 2-dimensional works on board. A synergy of ideas between the works has resulted in an interesting dynamism and tension between the works and, as such, an exhibition of quiet contemplation.

13 JULY – 6 AUGUST 2023

Opened 6pm Thursday 13 July by Katrina Leske, Curator.

About the Exhibition:

Canberra Potters Studio Holders: Present brings together seven diverse artists who work or have recently worked at Canberra Potters: Robyn Booth, John Heaney, Jackie Lallemand, Tanya McArthur, Maricelle Olivier, Sue Peachey and Julie Pennington. Through their unique perspectives and the medium of clay, their bodies of work converge to create an immersive experience that celebrates the intricate beauty of the natural world, personal narratives, and creative exploration.  

Robyn Booth draws inspiration from the Australian bushland, particularly the granite boulders and eucalyptus forests of the region. Working with clay grants her the spontaneity and unpredictability that she cherishes. Porcelain emerges as the ideal medium to express the colors and textures of the natural world that captivate her. Booth’s keen eye for detail has led her to discover the intricate patterns left by borer beetles on eucalyptus trees, breathing new life into these natural phenomena through her ceramic creations.

John Heaney’s creative process unfolds as an intimate engagement with clay, a medium that allows him to channel memories and insights derived from his experiences with people and places. His work “Last Dance, 2023” is a poignant recollection of his mother’s cautionary tale, imbued with the weight of a tragic event tied to the Murrumbidgee River. Through his art, Heaney illuminates the profound connection between personal narratives and the natural world.

Jackie Lallemand, inspired by the captivating landscapes of the Monaro region, collaborates with photographer Reece Scannell to intertwine their artistic visions. Lallemand’s shapes and surfaces interact harmoniously with Scannell’s photographs, resulting in a mesmerizing fusion of mediums. Their challenge lies in finding printing techniques that can seamlessly interact with Lallemand’s textured surfaces, ultimately enhancing the visual impact of their collaboration.

Tanya McArthur’s artistry is rooted in her serene rural surroundings and her deep connection with the natural environment. The tranquility of her bush setting and her meditative approach to ceramics infuse her work with a sense of calmness. McArthur’s gentle and understated forms reflect the therapeutic nature of her creative practice, while leaving parts of the clay body exposed celebrates the inherent beauty of the medium itself.

Maricelle Olivier, a South African artist, delves into her personal history and cultural identity through the medium of ceramics. Her pieces carry patterns that mirror the repetitive nature of her artistic practice, offering glimpses into her journey of self-discovery and belonging. Olivier’s vessels become vessels of emotions, repositories of her cultural heritage and an exploration of her roots.

Sue Peachey’s ceramic works resonate with the principles of the regenerative earth care system of Permaculture. By mapping the contours of Mount Majura, she uncovers the universal patterns that govern the structures of mountains and the interconnectedness of nature. Peachey’s pieces invite viewers to step back and perceive the broader picture, appreciating the intricate network of patterns that shape the Earth’s landscapes.

Julie Pennington’s ceramic sculptural vessels serve as vessels of exploration, delving into the intricacies of pattern and texture. Employing coiling techniques, Pennington creates textured surfaces that transcend the boundaries between interior and exterior. Her painstaking and repetitive process lends a meditative rhythm to her work, echoing the serene beauty of the natural environment. The influences of drought and fire are palpable in her recent creations, reflecting the severity of climatic conditions.

In this exhibition, the artists’ distinct voices intertwine, weaving a narrative that celebrates the intricate beauty of the natural world. From the Monaro to South Africa, from personal narratives to universal patterns, these artists have embarked on a creative journey that reveals the profound connections between nature, identity, and artistic expression.

Image: Maricelle Olivier, Skulpies, 2023

8 JUNE – 9 JULY 2023

About the Exhibition:

From December 2019 to January 2023 the country, indeed the world, has been on a wild ride foreseen by no one.

My time was totally taken up with the firestorms that raged down the east coast of Australia in what became known as Black Summer. Moving aside my pottery work and giving all my energy to my local fire brigade for some months was in some way a welcome break from my routine work. When the rain came to my part of the world in Katoomba, the Blue Mountains, it was a great relief and my thoughts started to turn back to the workshop. Then astoundingly along came Covid.

Unbelievingly looking at images of empty streets in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and on and on.  It was an opportunity to completely return unhindered to the workshop without any distractions and that year produced the beginnings of the variations that this exhibition represents.

I have always made shapes I was brought up with. I have always made small intimate pots but with time to practice a new skill and without deadlines, much to my surprise, some large pots started to appear.  It is a skill that I am still developing. Different skills and different judgements needed that I hadn’t considered as skills and judgements for many years. The bigger pots still adhere to my joy in simple shapes. I find that the line of the pot is set right at the base and yet I often wonder where the pot is going until we get there in the last two or three coils. Also some new flat ware plates have come along rather than the usual charger type plates of my heritage.

Variations is a gentle word and the variations in my work are also gentle and not abrupt. As ever my aim is to present an exhibition of beauty rather than a cerebral exercise using ceramics as a vehicle to prove one’s intelligence and academic rigor. I am happy to leave that to others. 

– Susie McMeekin

11 MAY – 4 JUNE 2023

Opening and Awards Presentation: 2pm Saturday 13 May 2022

Canberra Potters’ annual Student | Teacher Exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate the skills and creativity of the many students who attend classes at Canberra Potters. Designed to give students a welcoming environment to publicly display their work, participation is open to all students – adults and children – who have attended classes at Canberra Potters in the previous 12 months. Participation is free of charge.

Classes offered at Canberra Potters range from those suitable for beginners to experienced potters, and cover techniques such as handbuilding, wheelthrowing, decorating techniques, glazing and firing processes. Our strong, experienced team of teachers is invaluable in guiding students in their exploration of clay and creativity and we are fortunate to have a broad spectrum of teachers who are all excellent potters in their own right. Teachers’ work is exhibited alongside the student work.