New images by Christopher Sanders

I recently had a collection of my work photographed by Christopher Sanders. Chris was one of my lecturers at RMIT University and an amazing ceramic artist. His considerable talents have now turned to photography. I wanted to try something new with my images, capturing the underside qualities of the works.  These are the results - thank you Chris!
 

2013 New Work Grant, Australia Council for the Arts

I have officially completed a New Work Grant, thanks to the Australian Council for the Arts. The grant was to develop and create new ceramic works based on research into kiln formed glass techniques. This project has involved independent study, working with a mentor for this project, glass artist Ruth McCallum-Howell, visits to institutions with a focus on glass (historical and contemporary), undertaking an intensive specialized glass workshop, and concentrated studio time to conduct materials testing and development. As a result of this research I was able to develop a new material of sorts, a ceramic/glass hybrid, and create a number of new works using this material.

This is an exciting (and challenging) development for my work that I am continuing to work on, some images of the results to come soon.

This project has been assisted by the Australia Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Ceramic Journals...

In the September/October issue of the UK Journal, Ceramic Review, Inga Walton has written an article about the exhibition A Tribute to Janet Mansfield. This exhibition was curated by Prue Venables and held at Mossgreen earlier this year. It is an honour to have an image of my work included in the article.

In July The Journal of Australian Ceramics released its latest edition, with a focus on emerging artists and writers. It was wonderful to have an image of my work presented in the Gallery Section. I also interviewed emerging ceramic artist, Leah Jackson, for the edition. The interview, titled Late Nights and Dusty Clothes, is accompanied by some great images of Leah's vibrant works.

 

Quiet Conversations, Skepsi @ Montsalvat AUGUST 2014

One week away (!) until Quiet Conversations, Skepsi @ Montsalvat opens. 56 Ceramic Artists from around Australia will be involved in this showcase exhibition. I am VERY excited to be showing my work. There is a beautiful catalogue to accompany the exhibition, with the gorgeous work of Tania Rollond on the cover. There will also be two workshops by Brian Keyte (Glazes) and Kevin Boyd (Raku) during the exhibition. For more info visit the links below. Hope to see some of you there.

Quiet Conversations - Exceptional Australian Ceramics

Skepsi @ Montsalvat

16-31 August

Location: Montsalvat, The Barn Gallery, 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham

Corning Museum of Glass

Not long back from a trip to the US to visit family and was lucky enough to add on a short trip to NYC and the small town of Corning, home of the Corning Museum of Glass http://www.cmog.org/

For the past nine months I have been researching glass techniques and methods with the aim of incorporating this new knowledge into my ceramic practice. This project is generously supported by a grant from the Australia Council for the Arts. (My first ceramic/glass hybrid pieces are currently on show at Shepparton Art Museum). I was lucky enough to visit the Corning Museum of Glass and undertake a workshop in the studios there. These are some of the pictures of their vast and amazing collection. I was particularly blown away by the contemporary section and the 'Glass in Nature' section, containing amongst other things, the skeletons of certain sea sponges. The workshop was on the glass technique of Pate de Verre, which translates to 'paste of glass'.

Corning Museum of Glass

Corning Museum of Glass

SAM Showcase OPEN!

My mini-exhibition at SAM (Shepparton Art Museum) is now open. Thanks to Anna, Lilian, Lynne and the SAM staff for all their amazing help. The Showcase runs 3 May - 27 July 2014. Here are some images of works in progress, finished pieces and the installation!

Shepparton Art Museum, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton

Upcoming: Showcase at S.A.M

I am working away in the studio at present making a collection of new works for an upcoming showcase at Shepparton Art Museum. It's a new undertaking by S.A.M, to exhibit the work of up and coming ceramic artists in their showcase, which is located at the reception of the museum. Currently Tania Rollond has a gorgeous collection of vessels on exhibit until 27 April. I am up next, followed by Tim Clarkson (August-November) and Dean Smith (November - February 2015). S.A.M will also have the 2014 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award from 16 May - 10 August.

'Showcase presents four mini solo exhibitions of emerging Australian ceramic artists. Curated by longstanding gallerist Anna Maas, this project aims to provide audiences with an opportunity to purchase their very own collection quality artwork and to provide a platform for solo exhibitions by Australia's next generation of master ceramic artists.' Shepparton Art Museum

Showcase #2: Amy Kennedy    Saturday 3 May - Sunday 27 July 2014

 

Important Exhibition of Australian Ceramics, a tribute to Janet Mansfield OAM (1934-2013)

I am thrilled to be a part of this exhibition which opened last weekend at Mossgreen Gallery. Curated by Prue Venables, this exhibition includes the work of 25 Australian Ceramicists and is a tribute to the incredible life and work Janet Mansfield and her contribution to the field of ceramics.

Curator's Message: Prue Venables

Throughout her life, Janet Mansfield OAM worked tirelessly across the field of ceramics. As writer, publisher and a dedicated maker she embraced, encouraged and promoted all  aspects of this wide ranging profession and used the recognition she gained personally to firmly position Australian Ceramics on the world stage. Janet Mansfield had an unbounded, passionate enthusiasm for clay in all its forms accompanied by an insatiable thirst for learning, and, with great generosity and kindness, she taught, inspired and supported Ceramic artists worldwide.
The making of useful pots was for Janet a consuming passion and through this and her tireless  promotion of the crafts she demonstrated the beauty of handmade things compared to the mechanically made. An inspirational speaker, Janet lit up a multitude of conferences and potters meetings with her good humour and interesting tales, uniting and leading a world family of potters with her generosity and enthusiasm. As maker, exhibitor, author, editor, publisher, teacher and innovator, Janet Mansfield was a leader of our time – but always alongside all the accolades she received, it was the people she loved  the most. Across the world she will be sadly missed. This exhibition displays work of great innovation and substance from across the broad sphere of Australian Ceramics. All has been influenced by Janet Mansfield and her legacy.

Exhibition 1-22 February 2014

Mossgreen Gallery, 926-930 High Street, Armadale, Victoria