Join us on the last weekend of [Un]common Ground for a unique conversation as internationally recognised ceramic artists Paul Davis and Jacqueline Clayton explore their individual practices, their collaborations, their deep engagement with materials, and their reflections on their first exhibition together.
Against the stunning setting of their exhibition [Un]common Ground, hear how Paul and Jacquie have successfully navigated five decades of ceramic practice across Australia and Japan, participated in national and international exhibitions, maintained independent practices, and collaborated with leading restaurateurs on bespoke tableware.
This special Clay Conversation with exhibiting artists and current Canberra Potters Artists-in-Residence will be facilitated by artist, Japanese Tea Master and Board President Prof. Veronica Taylor.
We are delighted to welcome internationally recognised ceramic artists Paul Davis and Jacqueline Clayton to Canberra Potters as exhibiting artists and Artists-in-Residence.
Paul and Jacqueline bring together decades of ceramic knowledge, international experience and a shared commitment to material exploration, studio practice and making. Despite working alongside each other at their Rutherglen property and collaborating on commissions, Paul and Jacqueline have rarely exhibited together. While both artists share histories of ceramic training in Japan and Australia, their individual practices are shaped by different approaches, processes and creative imperatives — forming an apt point of departure for their exhibition [Un]common Ground.
During their residency as well as producing new work for their exhibition [Un]common Ground at Canberra Potters Gallery from 19 June to 19 July, they will lead the masterclass Adaptive Studio Practice: Creating in a Changing Environment, present an artist talk as part of Clay Conversations, and continue the research and development of their individual projects.
Nature’s Vase by Meg Keen. Best Adult Surface Decoration: 2025 Student Teacher Exhibition
31 JULY – 9 AUGUST 2026
Opening Preview and Prizes Presentation: Thursday 30 July, 6–7.30pm
The Student | Teacher Showcase! is a much-loved annual feature of the Canberra Potters Gallery exhibition program, celebrating the creativity, skill and diversity of our student and teacher community. Bringing together emerging and established ceramicists, the exhibition offers visitors to the Canberra Potters Gallery an inspiring glimpse into the learning, making and artistic journeys that shape our vibrant clay community.
Showcasing works by children, teens and adults who have taken classes over the past year, alongside pieces by their teachers and mentors, the exhibition reflects a rich variety of ceramic practice—from first explorations in clay to accomplished professional work.
Prizes across a range of categories, including wheel throwing, surface decoration, under 12s and Best in Show, will be awarded at the opening preview. Prizes are generously supported by Chris Harford, Maryke Henderson and Canberra Potters.
Join us at the Preview for a special evening to celebrate the exhibition opening and presentation of prizes. All welcome!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ARTISTS
Collection of unsold works: from Sunday 9 August to Tuesday 11 August. All unsold works need to be collected between the following dates/times:
Sunday 9 August 2-4pm (last day of exhibition), or
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.
