Spotlight on Australia: Four Inspiring Ceramicists
Here is a post by Guest Blogger David Ackley about Australian Ceramics.
The Australian ceramics scene is rich and diverse. Organizations
such as the Australian Ceramics Association help to
promote the craft and support ceramics education. Australia is home to a great
number of talented ceramicists, including these four inspiring artists:
1. Garry Bish - Garry Bish (b. 1950) is an
Australian schoolteacher-turned-ceramicist responsible for establishing the
Potters Arms Studio in Epsom, a small town about 100 miles north of Melbourne.
Bish is known for his recent ceramic
work using decals and screen printing to place a textured surface on the
vessel, impelling the viewer to take a closer look. Bish will often print text
directly on the vessel to create further intrigue.
Bish’s varied collection of work
references architecture, language, anthropology, and philosophy. The use of
celestial blue and earth tones suggest a cosmic theme.
The piece below was one of many
featured in early 2012 at the Melbourne museum Craft Victoria, in an exhibition
titled “The Vessel: A Space Oddity.”
Photo
by Lily Feng
2. Greg Crowe - Greg Crowe initially
studied architecture, however was seduced by ceramics while in school and
hasn’t turned back since. He still completed his architecture degree, but in
1979 he received his BA of Design in Ceramics. In 1980 he established Hovea
Pottery, near Perth, Australia, where he continues to work today.
Crowe focuses on wood-fired and
salt-glazed ceramics. He has exhibited throughout Australia, and also in the
US, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, France, and Singapore. He is represented by the
Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Queensland Art Gallery, among others.
The below piece was created during
Crowe’s McKnight Residency in 2008, at the Northern Clay Centre, in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. It was part of the McKnight exhibition from May to July 2009.
Source: http://www.gregcrowe.com.au
3. Kirsten Coelho - Born in Denmark, Kirsten Coelho
is one of three recipients of the 2012 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic
Award. Her $25,000 prize (in the Australian category) recognizes her skill with
reduction-fired porcelain.
Coelho studied in Adelaide before
moving to London in the early 1990s. She was influenced by British ceramic
traditions, evident in her work in which she captures some of the aging
characteristics found in 18th and 19th century enamels. Coehlo returned to
Australia in 1998, and now teaches ceramics at the University of South
Australia and works from her home studio in Adelaide.
Coehlo’s work is currently on display
at the Shepparton Art Museum through Nov. 18, 2012, and at the Lion Arts
Centre in Adelaide through Dec. 8, 2012.
Photo
by Grant Hancock and Daniel Noone
4. Alexandra Standen - Alexandra Standen
was awarded the 2012 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award for Emerging
Australian Artist. The award has propelled this young ceramicist’s career,
allowing her to exhibit with Kirsten Coelho (above) and Michael Fargo, from
Israel, who won in the International category.
Watch Standen’s excitement below as she
describes her exhibition of hand-built stoneware and porcelain at the
Shepparton Art Museum:
About
the Author: David Ackley is a blogger for the
Australian design site DesignLocal. On a quest to promote the Australian
creative scene to a global audience, DesignLocal serves daily design
inspiration ranging from the internationally acclaimed Marc Newson to raw
indigenous aboriginal talent. Explore more talented Australian ceramic artists
at DesignLocal.com.au.
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