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.