Opened 6pm Thursday 14 July 2022 by Tony Schumacher-Jones, PhD at Canberra Potters Gallery, 1 Aspinall St Watson ACT.

(in)tangible showcases the work of five artists: Jeremy Brown (wood), Madeline Cardone (glass), Abbey Jamieson (ceramics), Meredith Pammenter-Legg (print & drawing) and Dan Venables (glass).

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.

Opened 6pm Thursday 16 June 2022 by Paul Davis

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.”

Opening 6pm Friday 20 May 2022 at Belconnen Arts Centre

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.