Opened 6pm Thursday 10 March 2022 by Dr. Patsy Hely.
Floor Talk: 2:30pm Saturday 19 March 2022.
This and That presents the work of three Canberra-region ceramic artists: Camille Kersley, Lesley Lebkowicz and Steve Roper. The exhibition addresses different ways of interpreting interaction by the three artists, whose work (in style and materials) is very different. Although the artists use different materials and processes, all three are interested in the nature and quality of relationship in making sense of their experience.
Kersley makes her own meanings using found and unremarkable objects as wayfinding companions. Through the process of slow and reflective engagement with materials, new and unexpected relationships are given space to evolve allowing previously held meanings and understandings to be refigured.
Lebkowicz works with the human impulse to spiritual realisation. Her work uses images of the ocean to invoke the chaos in which we search for clarity and purity, qualities frequently symbolised by the use of gold leaf.
Roper creates work from designed and imagined forms and images, knitting them together to create scenes from imaginary stories. This is a different direction from his last exhibition, in appearance and scale, although he has pursued this approach for some time.
Melbourne ceramic artist Emma J V Parker presents The Space in Between: a group of figurative sculptures that are relatable and reflect common experience. Parker’s work seeks to elevate the mundane and spark awareness of the preciousness and fragility of fleeting moments. The strange sensation of nostalgia for the daily commute, something previously unappealing is palpable.
“I find the act of people watching totally engrossing. A 40-minute journey on the metro, now a task in distancing, can provide the perfect opportunity to observe the people. The hour of the day and the dress indicate that they are heading to work, or to school, or the gym. But what is their story? They are absorbed by their devices or engrossed in thoughts, and assume that although they are surrounded, they are alone. They feel anonymous and invisible in this populated communal space. This is their time to think, consolidate and adjust to the day ahead. My observations of commuters celebrate the space and time in between what we call ‘living’. Everyone is waiting to arrive somewhere, but how do we occupy ourselves as we do so? The necessary travel time, the precious uncounted minutes.
The pieces are not portraits or representations of individuals, but composites of people observed over time and during numerous journeys. A figurative language of universal types and habits. ‘Every man’ going about their business. At the time the exhibition was proposed (October 2020, Melbourne) the thought of a peak hour train rammed with passengers was a concerning thought. Over a year later I still wonder when we will all be comfortably shoulder to shoulder once again.”
The sculptures focus on a subject, but the reverse of each piece reveals an image that lends a narrative or describes a scene. They range in size from 27cm to 60cm in height. Each piece is slab-built porcelain with painted underglaze. The facial features are lightly modelled, and the detail of clothing, hands and baggage is almost entirely painted, so there is a play on what is rendered and what has an element of real dimension. The pieces also have an exaggerated sense of foreshortening, which offers a slightly odd but humorous perspective. The platters and tiles have an element of pattern that fence the figures in. The subjects sit quietly in their accepted confines, and wait to arrive.
Twisted Nature is a joint exhibition by contemporary Canberra ceramic artists Anna O’Neale and Mahala Hill. The exhibition encourages viewers to perceive nature through new eyes through multi-media sculpture, predominantly mixtures of ceramics and industrial materials. The sculptural works will not only show animals and plants in a different light but question their place in our human centred world.
The exhibition will be a mixture, whimsy, mutation and anthropomorphism. Materials and technics not traditionally associated with ceramics will be utilised to create an engaging spectacle of an exhibition.
Closing Party: 2pm Saturday 4 December 2021. Speaker: Katrina Leske, Gallery and Visitor Services Manager, Canberra Potters.
About
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
2-6 November, 10.30am – 3.30pm
Entries to be delivered to Canberra Potters with entry form and entry fee.
9-10 November
Selection of exhibits and installation
11 November to 5 December
Exhibition open 10am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-3pm Sunday.
Saturday 4 December, 2pm
Official Closing Party
Sunday 5 December, 3-4pm and Monday 6 December, 10-4pm
Collection of unsold exhibits
Apply
All current Canberra Potters members are invited to submit work for the Canberra Potters 2021 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 $25 participation fee, plus $5 for each 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.
*Canberra Potters adheres to CovidSAFE practices. Please note open hours and events are subject to change in line with current Covid-19 restrictions. Please check our website for details.
Opened 6pm Thursday 8 July by Dr Deborah Hill, Manager, International and Domestic Engagement, National Museum of Australia. The opening event featured live jazz performed by the Dylan Slater Duo, as well as fermented food tasting plates made from locally sourced ingredients, offered by the Southern Harvest Association.
Ferment is a collaborative exhibition by Canberra ceramic artists Isabelle Mackay-Sim and Teffany Thiedeman. The ceramic work being created for the exhibition addresses the theme of fermentation on levels both literal and metaphorical. As well as offering ceramic vessels for creating fermented foods, the artists present Ferment as an idea of fundamental change. The concept of fermentation has wide-reaching importance for our times. In a climate of environmental emergency, where wastage seems criminal, fermentation helps us to eke nourishment out of scraps, and preserve food for later. Microbial organisms ferment in our guts to affect both physical and mental health. Ideas ferment in the mind and within communities, giving rise to political upheaval and social change. Finally, after the personal, introspective fermentation of lockdown, many people are emerging fundamentally changed.
Enjoy the work of these two Canberra ceramic artists in this thought-provoking exhibition.
There are a number of fermenting and clay workshops run concurrently with this exhibition.
My Dad: A Tribute to George is an exhibition by Canberra potter Paul Dumetz. This new body of work features a series of wheelthrown cups which explore cherished memories and stories as a tribute to Paul’s late father George.
Under the guidance and assistance of his mentor Maryke Henderson, Paul’s wheelthrown work is made with a view of creating functional wares which can be appreciated in an artistic sense. He is interested in the development of unique and striking glazes which draw inspiration from traditional wood ash, salt and soda glazes, as well as telling stories through illustrative work.
Opening and Awards Presentation 2:30pm Saturday 22 May 2021.
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.
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.
Daniel Skeffington (Lake Macquarie, NSW) is the Artist in Residence at Canberra Potters from 17 April to 16 May 2021. The Artist in Residence program has been a long-running initiative to provide an opportunity for emerging and established artists to explore and further develop their art practice in a wholly supported and nurturing, purpose-designed environment. Artists are encouraged to move beyond their existing art practice to interrogate their existing work or to create a completely new body of work.
Skeffington’s stay at Canberra Potters has been an exploration of new forms, new glazes and new techniques. “I made a decision to embrace the challenge” said Skeffington. “I’ve also looked at a new story. In these questioning social norms times, I’m interested in tolerance. If there were more celebration of our similarities and more embrace of our differences there might be more moments of pleasure.” In some pieces Skeffington references sculpture from Roman/Greco times, which once represented those societies as a collective of people, but also as individuals having their own unique standout personalities.
Image: Bowl and Vase. Mishima and Carbon Trap Shino
Opened 6pm Thursday 22 April 2021 by Geoff Palmer and Rudi Schneider. Musical performance by The Euphonics.
A collaborative exploration of the COVID19 pandemic and its effects on our lifestyles and values, by childhood friends Julie Roberts and Josephine Townsend.
The COVID19 lockdown forced us Inside, separated from our extended network of friends and family. We have both been lucky enough to have a safe and comfortable place with the luxury of a garden. Our art practices, drawing and ceramics, have led us on a journey to process the ever-changing reality of the pandemic.
Inside looking out –
Looking to nature for renewal and peace
We miss the touch of others, the easy hugs
We retreat, seeking protection and comfort in the familiar
Keeping the menace at a safe distance
The tempo of our days changes,
We have time.
Inside looking in –
Inside our minds
Some days we struggle
The time sits heavy
We nest
We seek sanctuary in creative expression
There is joy in small things
We revel in our new-found time
Making art to celebrate the gifts we have.
EXHIBITION EVENTS
Join us for a series of events at Canberra Potters in conjunction with this exhibition:
– Saturday 24 April, 1pm-3pm: Meet the artists in the gallery. 3pm:Strange Weather Gospel Choir performance in the gardens
– Saturday 1 May, 1pm-2pm: Meet the artists in the gallery. 2pm: Artist talk in the gallery
– Saturday 8 May, 1pm-3pm: Meet the artists in the gallery
– Sunday 16 May, Draw On: Making and Using Porcelain Parchment and Ceramic Pastels. Book here. (some experience required).
Acclaimed ceramicist Jeff MinchamAM presents his 90th solo show, after over 40 years of professional practice working from his home studio in the Adelaide Hills. Vive La Vrai Ceramique: Adventures in Clay shows an outstanding body of work by one of Australia’s greatest artists working in clay.
“I have enjoyed a long association with the Watson Arts Centre and Canberra Potters, first exhibiting here in 1986 when it was the Crafts Council of the ACT under the directorship of Meredith Hinchliffe. Since then I have shown work here on a number of occasions, and my National Touring Exhibition visited the Centre in 2010.
It seems fitting then, to celebrate my 90th solo show here. My first was held at the Jam Factory SA in October 1976. It was a great adventure in every way and so it has continued to be for me over almost five decades.
This exhibition represents a broad sweep of my work over the past few years and reflects the continuing evolution of ideas and themes. My working methodologies have expanded and new techniques have evolved and will continue to do so. Inspirations are drawn from many sources but are anchored around a core aesthetic, firmly set in the nature of the material itself.
