The 22 portraits in the 2023 $10,000 Bald Archy Prize exhibition tour were officially unveiled to the public at the Watson Art Centre in Canberra.
Museum of the Riverina Manager Luke Grealy (centre in picture from launch) is delighted to see its return after a three-year hiatus following the death of its founder, Peter Batey OAM, who is the subject in the portrait ‘Never a Dull Moment’ by Marty Steel, and the winner of the 2023 prize.
‘Never a Dull Moment’ by Marty Steel
Katrina Leske (Canberra Potters), Luke Grealy (MoR) and Richard Thomas (Canberra Potters)
New Acquisitions is an exhibition of works acquired by Canberra Potters over the past three years. It showcases recent Artists in Residence, and a collection of works by significant Australian and Japanese ceramic artists donated by Bob Hay in 2022.
Over the last 48 years, Canberra Potters has collected a number of works from visiting artists, workshop tutors and artists-in-residence from around the world. This exhibition presents work from over 30 artists, some of which have never been seen by the general public.
A large portion of the work on show has generously been donated to Canberra Potters by Bob Hay in 2022. Hay first became interested in Japanese ceramics more than half a century ago when after taking up potting, he realised that he felt most in tune with the Japanese aesthetic, the wabi-sabi which evolved out of both Shinto reverence for Nature and the Buddhist concept of impermanence and change. Hay’s donation consists of a broad range of Japanese and Australian pottery and fine art ceramics.
Canberra Potters is proud to present its annual Members’ Exhibition featuring some of the best work created by its members during the last twelve months.
The exhibition presents the inexhaustible breadth of ceramic arts through works using combinations of different clays, making, decorating and firing techniques to create works that are unique in form, texture and colour. Demonstrating the trends in contemporary ceramics practice, this is Canberra’s major ceramic show of the year.
An award pool of over $3000 is donated by our generous sponsors, with the premier award of the exhibition being the $1000 Doug Alexander Memorial Award.
The Doug Alexander Memorial Award
Each year since 1990, Canberra Potters have given the Doug Alexander Award to an exceptional potter in our annual Members’ Exhibition. It is presented in celebration and honour of Doug Alexander who was the resident potter at Cuppacumbalong Arts and Craft Centre at Tharwa, from 1976 to 1981 – brought short by his untimely death.
Doug Alexander made a huge contribution to the development of functional ceramics in Australia and, when he moved to Canberra, Doug Alexander’s experience and knowledge gave a fillip to pottery in Canberra. This $1000 cash prize is proudly sponsored by Canberra Potters. Information retrieved from Doug Alexander – A Retrospective.
Dates
1-6 November, 10.30am – 3.30pm (3pm on Sunday)
Entries to be delivered to Canberra Potters with entry form and entry fee.
8-10 November
Selection of exhibits and installation
6pm 10 November 2022
Awards Ceremony & Exhibition Opening
11 November to 4 December
Exhibition Open
Sunday 4 December, 3-4pm and Monday 5 December, 10-4pm
Collection of unsold exhibits
Apply
All current Canberra Potters members are invited to submit work for the Canberra Potters 2022 Members’ Exhibition, so have a look on your shelves for something that might be suitable which you’ve created in the last 12 months!
Details
Exhibitors must be a current member of Canberra Potters
Entries must be the original work of the exhibitor, have been completed in the 12 months preceding the exhibition, and must not have been exhibited in a previous Canberra Potters Annual Members’ Exhibition.
A maximum of two entries may be submitted
Entries must made of ceramic materials, with any non-ceramic components forming a minor part
Each application incurs a $30 participation fee, plus $5 for an additional second entry (payable when work is delivered to Canberra Potters).
The gallery retains a 30% commission (inc. GST) on all entries for sale.
The exhibition is a selected exhibition and the judge has the right to reject any work for whatever reason. Other works may be excluded by Canberra Potters for space and/or display considerations.
A Group Exhibition of LGBTQIA+ Clayworkers in the ACT region
13 OCTOBER – 6 NOVEMBER 2022
Opening 6pm Thursday 13 October 2022 with a performance by Canberra Qwire.
Participating Artists: Alex Thatcher | Bella Insch | Georgie Bryant | James Collier | Maddie Tranter | Tahlia Duncan Kring | Tim Bisaro
This group exhibition showcases recent works of seven clayworkers who are proudly members of the LGBTQIA+ community living and thriving in the Canberra Region. These works individually and collectively explore what it means to be a member of a community, sometimes overtly gathered together, at other times grouped together by others. We are gathered together based on shared identities while remaining individuals with diverse lived experiences.
As clayworking artists we typically pursue our clay practise alone, but we give expression to our identities as artists within a wider community. Over the past three years every human alive has met the question “who am I when I am isolated and alone?” and many of us have been challenged to re-explore questions of how we engage with our community, where we find community and how to maintain connection in a time of uncertainty.
There are echoes of our identities within our clay expressions. As the clay is elemental to our identities as artists, so too is our community critical to how we overcome isolation and marginalisation. To find connection and thus, to be able to celebrate our shared humanity, is the daily meditation.
Opened 6pm Thursday 18 August 2022 by Janet DeBoos
Unpredictable: An Exploration of Soda Vapour Glazing 2004-2022 explores the progression of Maryke Henderson’s development of surface and form over a period of 18 years, starting while a student at ANU.
Why soda glaze?
Why am I so captivated by the process?
Soda vapour glaze offers an edge of unpredictability, of serendipity, of the unexpected.
Each kiln load offers an element of excitement, and occasionally despair as the harshness of the firing effects the vessel.
The organic surfaces produced have the impression of ageing, of layering and the natural structure. An element of function is important to me as it implies an intimate relationship – maker to pot, pot to user, as well as providing a visual dimension.
This exhibition is about the journey of discovery of this difficult yet exciting process using the paths of flame and vapours to decorate the surface by the use of various clay bodies and slips. It explores the vessels or canvases on which to produce these surfaces by a selection of student work to the present day. It shows how I am strongly influenced by the landscape, the textures and lichens found on trees and the continuing desire of making functional ware.
Together their works explore themes of mental health and well-being through the act of making. Some of these works are representative of lived experiences, whilst others aim to create comforting spaces or encourage physical interaction and viewer participation. In a rapidly changing and uncertain world where many people find themselves challenged by anxiety and mental health issues, self care is becoming more important than ever and this show presents a range of perspectives and tangible responses to these intangible concepts. (in)tangible‘s intention is to convey a sense of compassion and solidarity – normalising personal experience and adding to the discussion surrounding mental health. The physical outcomes in this exhibition are all designed to encourage viewers to see the world from a different perspective by making the intangible, tangible.
Book Launch and Artist Talk 3pm Saturday 9 July 2022
Internationally renowned ceramic artist Owen Rye presents Abstractions: an exploration of abstraction in ceramic sculpture and photography. Far removed from his public reputation as a woodfirer (there isn’t a vessel to be seen!), Abstractions marks a turning point in Rye’s artistic journey.
“For the past fifteen years I have made close-up photos of old machinery, looking for abstract images. From around a thousand, I have selected eighteen. Six of them are pure abstraction. Six of them suggest being parts of machinery. And six of them include old faded signwriting, weather worn to a stage that hints at the presence of words; but they are not at all clear. They may be in a language we understand; or may not.
The other part of the exhibition involves ceramic sculptures, again abstract in nature, not intended to have any reference to anything specific. I have always played with sculpture as a sideline to my better-known work. This is my first exhibition where it features prominently. It includes a mix of works completed over some years.”
Featuring: Joey Burns | Alex de Vos | Paul Dumetz | Lea Durie | Helen Eatough | Chris Harford | Sue Hewat | Abbey Jamieson | Lesley Lebkowicz | Nichola Leeming | Katrina Leske | Sue Peachey | Julie Pennington | Don Porter | Fran Romano | Josephine Townsend
Vessel applauds the work of the Canberra region’s ceramic artists through a celebration of the vessel. Ceramic artists responded to the following definitions:
Vessel: A container (for example but not limited to a cask, bottle, kettle, cup, vase, or bowl) for holding something.
This collection epitomises the essence of good design, aesthetics and functionality in their work. The survey demonstrates the diversity of practice and approach to the vessel, where the artworks connect us to the maker, each made with the artist’s hand and then held within our own.
It is simply and elegantly presented to remove all distractions and we encourage you to sharpen your focus on the object and its making.
About Canberra Potters
Working in partnership with our colleagues at Canberra Potters, Watson Arts Centre we have come together to celebrate locally based ceramic artists.
Canberra Potters has been supporting and nurturing the region’s potters and ceramicists since its inception in 1975. Located in the inner north suburb of Watson the adapted premises include two large teaching workshops, a members workshop, production facilities, gallery and shop. There are four artist studios for hire to ceramic artists plus a further studio and accommodation for an artist-in-residence program.
With over 470 members and interaction with more than 2000 students each year through our education program, Canberra Potters continues to develop and engender the best qualities of ceramic arts practice. As pottery enjoys an ongoing resurgence a new vanguard of artists are continuing the tradition of exploring proven techniques and expanding boundaries to create work that is as diverse in method as it is in creativity.
The participants in VESSEL are testament to this practice.
Opening and Awards Presentation: 2pm Sunday 22 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.
Opened: 6pm Thursday 7 April 2022 by Rod Bamford, Head of ANU School of Art & Design Ceramics Workshop.
Connections: EASS 2022 features the work of four 2021 ceramics graduates from the ANU School of Art and Design: Martha de Ramos (BVA), Roz Hall (BVA), Rose Shen-Ju Hsieh (MVA) and Oliver Owens (BVA).
This exhibition presents four individual bodies of work developed over the artists’ period of study. Overarching themes of human relationships (to each other or their environments), connection and social impact are explored through wheel-thrown ceramic vessels in distinct and original styles. The exhibition is coordinated through the ANU School of Art & Design’s Emerging Artist Support Scheme (EASS), to help establish the careers of emerging artists.
De Ramos’s work explores humanity’s major impact on the earth (the Anthropocene) through an imaginary vision of anthropogenic terrains. Her wheel-thrown vessels are filled with glaze and fired, then cut in half revealing cores which resemble sedimentary layers and man-made mines.
Hall’s work investigates the application of ceramics by introducing kinetic elements to her wheel-thrown vessels, combining them with household appliances. She aims to renew viewers’ perception of the function of ceramics and its kinetic potential.
Hsieh’s practice is centered on creating anthropomorphic vessels and grouping them into social microcosms. She explores the changes of social formations instigated by the Covid-19 pandemic by portraying everyday objects as human beings.
Owens’ large thrown and altered vessels are inspired by the land and seascapes of the coastal areas in southern New South Wales. He explores the relationships humans share with place through an abstracted depiction of landscape.
