The Canberra Potter The newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc. October 2014 Canberra region potters 2013 The work of Canberra region potters, their projects and explorations in clay is reflected upon this month in two major exhibitions, interviews, reviews, profiles, new ideas and works. Members’ Exhibition More than 110 enthusiastic people enjoyed the opening of the 2014 Canberra Potters’ Society Members’ Exhibition at Watson Arts Centre on Thursday 25 September 2014. The show comprises 90 diverse exhibits by 47 potters and ceramic artists – six of whom are tertiary students. All work was excellent quality, with a broad range of techniques such as highfired porcelain, wood-fired pieces, raku, soda glazes, and earthenware. Exhibitors demonstrated their skills with wheel throwing and hand building in a diverse range of clay bodies. Judging with an expert eye was Ruthanne Tudball, an internationally celebrated ceramicist and author from England. Tudball described how she appraised all of the exhibition works from different angles, studied their technical qualities, reflected on their presence and relationship to their title. Prize winners were: Anne Langridge, Marbled Spiral Garden Vessel ‒ Doug Alexander Award Liz Crowe, Black Bean Pod - Forest Litter ‒ Jane Crick Memorial Award for Hand building Yukie Wathelet, Cosmos ‒ Craft Act Award Jo Victoria, Falling ‒ ACTEWAGL Tertiary Student Award Esmee Smith, Ruby Lustre Blossom Jar ‒ Cesco Award Robyn Campbell, Whispers II ‒ Clayworks Velda Hunter, Bowl ‒ Walker Ceramics Award For Wheel throwing Maryke Henderson, Forest ‒ The Australian Ceramics Association Merit Award David Leake, Untitled Bowl ‒ The Australian Ceramics Association Tertiary Student Merit Award Christina Baratinskas‒Goodman, Butterfly wishes ‒ The Australian Ceramics Association Merit Award Of course, the Keane Ceramics People's Choice Award will be determined after the exhibition closes. Michael Keighery, renowned Australian mixed-media ceramics and performance artist, opened the exhibition. In his address, Keighery commended Canberra Potters’ Society and Watson Arts Centre, urging those present to honour and preserve this community asset. In turn, Ruthanne praised the uniqueness of the facility, and the opportunities that the Potters Society offered from classes to residencies and member events. Velda Hunter Jo Victoria, Falling - ACTEWAGL Tertiary Student Award Region potters’ profiles The CPS has nurtured and contributed to a legacy of a strong ceramic community in Canberra region. See: Ian Jones Interview from Old Saint Luke’s Gallery + Studio, p 4 Awaken 11 September – 25 October 2014 Craft ACT, Canberra Bev Hogg, Sarit Cohen, Linda Davey, Kaye Pemberton, Avi Amesbury, Margaret Brown and Cathy Franzi in showcase. See review, p 5 Michael Keighery Workshop Garry Palecek 18–19 October Explore creative work processes, Presentation+Master Class, p 6 See Potters Place Profile of this established potter discussing inspiration for form and function, p 6 www.canberrapotters.com.au The Canberra Potter WORKSHOP MANAGERS Available Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30am–12:30pm At other times please leave a message on the answering machine. Members are reminded that the Workshop Managers are not obliged to attend members if they ‘drop-in’ outside of these hours. MAIN WORKSHOP DROP-IN SESSIONS Thursdays (term time) 9:30–12:30pm Sundays 1–4pm (except Christmas/New Year period as notified in the newsletter) Please refer to the Workshop Handbook for full details of drop-in times & exceptions Cost: $5 per 3-hour session MEMBERS’ WORKSHOP Members may use this workshop during class, administration and drop-in times. For unlimited access you must be a CPS member for six months before you can apply for a workshop key. Contact the Workshop Managers for details. Cost: $5 per 3-hour session Use of all workshop facilities is subject to successful completion of a workshop orientation session or refresher. Newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc October 2014 Workshop News Recently, to our dismay, we’ve had a programming failure during one of our kiln firings. Thankfully this is very rare. To give you some perspective we operate between six and nine kilns, completing around five firings a week or over 200 firings a year. Kiln failures occur every so often for a multitude of reasons—many beyond our control. However, this one seems to be human error. Chris Harford, Manager Richard and the workshop staff have actioned a number of responses that will improve our operating procedures and reduce the likelihood of repeat. Of course, we offer a heartfelt apology to all those members whose work was affected and I assure you we are doing everything we can to improve our level of workshop service. New courses: Photographing your work with Kelly Austin 19 October 10am–1pm Details in the term flyer. Cost $105 Cheers, Chris Board Members Brad Thomas, Chair [email protected] 0433010415 Roger Ellyard, Treasurer [email protected] (02) 6247 9131 Cynthia Anderson Robyn Booth Greg Daly Andrea Ho Catherine Reid Stefanie Pidcock Jessica Coates Director President Richard Thomas Maryke Henderson [email protected] (02) 6258 0987 Managers Chris Harford, Workshop Sara Hogwood, Program Fran Romano, Education Program Regular Teachers Chris Harford, Alex de Vos, Garry Palecek, Cathy Franzi, Maryke Henderson, Jackie Lallemand, Verney Burness, Rick Beviss, Velda Hunter Volunteer Coordinators Rick Beviss, Members' Event Co-ordinator Suzanne Fox, Librarian Fran Romano, Workshops Kathryn Wells, Newsletter Editor General Staff Bhavana Moylan (Office Assistant) Rick Beviss, Paul Dumetz (Kiln Loaders) Paul Dumetz (Workshop Assistant) Alex de Vos, Sarah Guiver (cleaners) Contact details FIRING (10% discount for members) $5.85/kg (bisque & glaze) $4.00/kg (bisque or glaze Items decorated transfers: $6.95/kg (bisque & glaze) $5.10/kg (bisque only) KILN HIRE Electric: $10–$30 depending on kiln hired plus electricity Gas: $5–$15 depending on kiln hired plus gas used Raku: $5 plus gas use To hire a kiln you must have a CPS kiln licence or pay for loading. Workshop (02) 6241 7800 Office (02) 6241 1670 (after hours) (02) 6241 7732 (after hours) 0414 526168 Enrolments: [email protected] Director: [email protected] General enquiries: [email protected] Workshop Manager: [email protected] Education Program: [email protected] Library: [email protected] Workplace Health & Safety: [email protected] Watson Arts Centre: [email protected] Editor: [email protected] Canberra Potters’ Society Inc The Canberra Potter Newsletter is published Watson Arts Centre monthly February- December. Aspinall St, Watson ACT Please let us know of any exhibitions, or give us a report on a workshop. Please email copy and jpg PO Box 7021, images to the editor with ‘newsletter’ in the subject. Watson ACT 2602 Next Newsletter Deadline ABN 65 491 135 689 26 October 2014 www.canberrapotters.com.au 2 The Canberra Potter Newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc October 2014 From the President I would like to congratulate the members who so deservedly won awards in the 2014 Members’ Exhibition. What a wonderful opening! I have had very positive feedback on what a great show it is. Thank you to all who contributed, especially to Sara who did an outstanding job in the set up with help from Jackie Lallamand. Open Day, Sunday 12 October If you haven’t signed up as a demonstrator or soup service helper but would like to be involved then we’re sure to be able to find some use for you! Register as a helper by emailing [email protected] or phone 6241 1670 Maryke looking through her Forest Memories, Tamworth Regional Gallery. Call out for bowls, demonstrators, soup and raku firing helpers Demonstrating wheel throwing and hand building: We are looking for members to demonstrate throwing and hand building techniques, and/or assist visitors who want to have a go themselves. Contact Maryke on 6258 0987 Soup bowls: We need a good supply of soup bowls. All soup bowls sell for $15. After sales commission, the balance is paid to the bowl makers. Label your bowls with your name using a removable sticky label. Please deliver soup bowls to foyer kitchen: Thursday 9 and Saturday 11 October 10am-4pm and on Sunday 12 October from 9 am. When leaving your bowls please record your name, the identifier you’ve used and the number of bowls that you’re supplying on a list that will be in the foyer kitchen. Contact Sara 6241 1670 or email [email protected] Soup: Soups should not contain meat, fish or cream. Do not make more than you can safely store in your refrigerator before delivering to us. Your soup should be accompanied by a list of ingredients. Please ensure that you label your container, both lid and base, so that you get the right ones back at the end of the day. Deliver soups to the foyer kitchen after 9am on the 12 October. Contact Marlene Flanagan at [email protected] or 6249 1493. Raku firing and the plate making activity: Can any members spare an hour or two? Contact Maryke 0418 606 116. Volunteers and staffing As Richard has settled into his role at CPS, it has become obvious to him how much we rely on a small number of dedicated staff and our group of wonderful volunteers. But what happens when these people are both? He has witnessed how difficult this conflict of roles can become and most importantly how it affects their ability to function well — in either role. Over the coming weeks Richard will try and clearly define what and when people are in their specific roles and publicise this information. I’d like to ask that we are respectful of our staff and volunteers and consider that your approach is appropriate to the current role they are performing. If you are unsure just ask. Maryke Henderson …Members’ Exhibition award winners Robyn Campbell, Whispers II Anne Langridge, Marbled Spiral Garden Vessel Maryke Henderson, Forest Velda Hunter, Bowl www.canberrapotters.com.au Esmee Smith, Ruby Lustre Blossom Jar Liz Crowe, Black Bean Pod - Forest Litter 3 The Canberra Potter Newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc October 2014 Ian Jones Old Saint Luke’s Studio Pottery and Gallery, Gundaroo, NSW By appointment, Open Days 6-7 December 2014 Ian Jones was interviewed by Kathryn Wells Ian Jones is a wood firing potter of this region who has retained his fascination with function as well as long kiln anagama firing since the mid-1970s. Jones trained at the Canberra School of Art, where his mother Marjo Jones also studied ceramics. Then he studied with Doug Alexander at Cuppacumbalong Pottery from 1976-78. Since 1982, he has lived and worked from the Old Saint Luke’s Studio Pottery and Gallery at Gundaroo, just outside the ACT, with his wife Moraig McKenna, a fellow ceramicist. In addition to his wheel and other work, Ian experiments with coilbuilding using local clay based on decomposed granite. What were the main influences in your decision in establishing and staying on at Old St Luke’s Pottery? I purchased the two acres of land and the ruin of the old stone church in 1982, with the specific intent of building a large anagama kiln. I had been searching for an affordable property in the Canberra district where I could fire a kiln for periods of up to 6 days, where the smoke would not upset too many people. Gundaroo was the ideal solution, a great community close to Canberra, and a beautiful and historic location for a house and gallery. I guess one of the reasons you stay somewhere is due to inertia. As I have become established in the district, it is easier to sell work here than it would be in a new location. The thought of moving all the stuff in my studio is scary, and I have a real sense of connectedness with this place. 2 cup teapot, unglazed stoneware, 2007, image by Stuart Hay Ian Jones at Gundaroo wood fire, 2005, image by Ian Hodgson What does making pottery in the same region for 40 years say about a dialogue between object and maker? Since 1975, I have been interested in what Japanese potters call ‘shizen-yu’, the natural ash glaze effects in the wood kiln. Wood firing has so many variables: the clay, the kiln, the setting of the pots, the stokers, the weather, and the wood. It is impossible to control them all. This forces the wood firer to step back from control and let the dialogue with the kiln become a factor in the making process, a randomness that turns the firing into a dance with the kiln. When I first started, I was selling in a particular market, and only a small proportion of the pots were designed to best receive the heavy ash deposits and natural glazing from the anagama kiln. Now I am able to make work that can better respond to the qualities achievable in this style of kiln. You have written* that the most beautiful pottery ever made is both functional and also the product of repetition. How does this affect the form of your production of tableware? Function is important to me, for function is the raison d’etre for ceramics, the storage preservation and presentation of food, the relationship between the host and guest. The potter can be an intermediary at those incredible human moments of life, the sharing of food and companionship around a table, and the presence of the personality of the potter in the object is an addition to this event. Whilst function lies at the heart of the art of pottery it does not necessarily create beauty. I see that the ‘art’ of pottery is largely about Ware board with works by Ian Jones from Gundaroo firing, form. Repetition is important in the process of making objects that talk 2014, image by Ian Hodgson to me at a level that deals with what I see as this ‘art’ of pottery. I always start a making cycle by sitting down and making coffee mugs. This is one of the hardest forms to imbue with this ‘thingness’ that I am searching for – due to the limited range within which a mug exists. A handle, a container, something that you can put to your mouth – you don’t have much to work with to make it have meaning. How do you relate your repetition of production and function with art? For me what defines this ‘artness’ in the ceramic object is most easily recognized as the thing that gives one object in a ware-board full of pots a quality that makes it sing whereas another, almost identical, is dead. For me, the ‘art’ of pottery lies in the exploration of this difference, and is most readily perceived when contrasting repeated forms. *Ian Jones, The point of interest: function and the art of pottery, Journal of Australian Ceramics, April 2008 www.canberrapotters.com.au 4 The Canberra Potter Newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc October 2014 Awaken Ceramic artists: Bev Hogg, Sarit Cohen, Linda Davey, Margaret Brown, Kaye Pemberton, Avi Amesbury and Cathy Franzi in the Crucible Showcase Exhibtion: Craft ACT, 11 September – 25 October 2014 The strength of ceramic arts in the Canberra region is represented this month with about one third of the Craft ACT Accredited Professional Members on show being ceramicists. The exhibition reflects on the diverse skills and range of techniques mastered by the professional members. Awaken refers to emerging from the dark night to the sounds in a dawn sky. An artist’s vision of seeing anew is drawn upon to show what is happening in their lives, their world, their environment and creative spirits. The ceramic works are playful, thoughtful, provocative and humorous. Bev Hogg offers a vision of ‘a choir of warding magpies [who] gather together to herald the new day’. The iconic sound of warbling magpies is awash to anyone awake or walking in the bush of the Canberra region. Her work captures this instance of the shifting sound of dawn carrying across the bush and gardens. Each of Hogg’s magpies is strikes a pose and offer different notes to create a chorus effect. The subtle juxtaposition of poses reflects her skills and ceramic craft, ‘awakening us to another opportunity with fresh possibilities, not only on a physical level but on a deeper level’.* The creative spirit reflects on magpies and the joyful play offers a deeper meditation on the world we inhabit in a local and global sense. Linda Davy, Night Parrot- the paradoxical revival of an extinct species Ceramic, raku fired, courtesy of Craft ACT Bev Hogg, Dawn warble, Clay, engobes and glaze, courtesy of Craft ACT Linda Davey interprets Awaken as a clarion call for awareness about loss of diversity, habitat and endangered bird species. Davy’s concerns about environmental culture, societal and personal connections with the environment are reflected in her approach to her art practice. Her focus on the form of birds is ‘because they are a clear indicator of the health of our natural environment. Survival for so many birds is tenuous in a modern world…’* Her exploration of form is resonant, suggesting an intimacy with extinction. It is, at once both startling as we stare into wild eyes, and also profound as we absorb the beauty of what we are losing. The raku firing suggests a new mediation on timeliness. In contrast, Margaret Brown’s ‘porcelain bowl shares the fun which new spring growth brings. Families are ready to play in the park again. Patterns are marked in the long growth, made from small creatures making their way home amongst the plants. Growing and weaving together, uncontrolled plants paint the park green’.* Kaye Pemberton’s work is honed both from her practice of tide lining’ and her clay practice. Working with clay is as part of her ‘as gathering bits of flotsam and jetsam along the way’.* The transparency of the porcelain awakes us to the possibilities of new forms from old as well as past presence of lives and moments that awaken memories and yearning. The delicacy of porcelain is used by Sarit Cohen to reflect a spirit of lightness in her vessels. Highly constructed ‘handles’ and subverted spouts reinforce a spiral rhythm in her forms, emerging and re-emerging. Kaye Pemberton, Flotsam and Jetsam #2, Porcelain, image David Paterson, courtesy of Craft ACT Cathy Franzi’s still life of ceramic vessels with surface imagery is an exploration of the vast ecosystem of desert Australia revealing intimate botanical details, evoking a sense of travelling through and finding place. Her porcelain vessels are finely formed, light and firm, subtly reflecting the undulations of the desert sands and termite nests and suggesting a glimpse of the sacred unseen. Cathy Franzi, Paruku, 2014. Porcelain, engobe, Red mid-fire, sgraffito. Photo Andrew Sikorski, Art Atelier, courtesy of Craft ACT Avi Amesbury, the curator, is represented with a finely executed piece that suggests strength, hope and awareness as we awake to a new dawn. Kathryn Wells *All quotes from Artist Statements, supplied by Craft ACT www.canberrapotters.com.au 5 The Canberra Potter Newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc October 2014 Potters Place Profile – Garry Palecek A pottery opportunity My quest for the perfect pot is driven by the interplay between form and function. In reality this becomes a question of balance between the forces of ‘What-to-make’ and ‘How-to-make’. For over five thousand years, potters have produced vessels that enclose space and create ‘form’. The ancient Deity of Egypt, Khnum, was credited with being ‘the creator of the bodies of human children, which he made at a potter’s wheel from clay, then placed in their mother’s womb’. Interwoven with the importance of ‘form’ and forever linked, is the importance of ‘function’. The ancient Chinese sage Lao Tzu said, ‘We shape clay into a pot but it’s the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want’. The focus of my current work on form has led me to the desire for more depth in the surface layer. By utilizing a variety of decorative techniques together, in relation to the construction stages, an enhanced 3-D effect is achievable and adds interest. Multiple layers of free-form application, for example: texture, terra sigillata (a refined clay slip with a sheen), underglaze, sprigging (moulded shapes), and kiln atmospheres, add to the spontaneous characteristics inherent in the Raku process, my chosen style of pottery. Garry Palecek Potters Place is open Thursdays to Sundays, 10 am – 4 pm, and most public holidays. Garry Palecek, Reflections, under-glaze feature, image: Ian Hodgson Workshop – Michael Keighery, Ideas Presentation and Master Class 18-19 October 9:30 am to 4 pm Michael’s mixed media work http://keighery.com In this two day class Michael will explore and demystify aspects of his creative work processes. He'll lead participants in a series of practical exercises to facilitate the generation of ideas and will discuss and demonstrate creative strategies. Learn how to apply these strategies in your own studio practice to expand and push your work into new areas. Day 1: Introduction; Work processes and idea development (where do they come from?); Lateral thinking - practical exercises to develop these abilities to think laterally (outside the box); Hands-on exercises. Day 2: Continue exercises...learn how to apply them to work in the studio; Exploring aspects of Michael's making techniques: slip casting, generating images, application of images to both raw and fired surfaces; Demonstration and discussion. Costs: CPS members & students: $285 Non-members: $310 Fran Romano Try-it-out ‘Wheel Throwing’ Nine people attended the September session of in ‘Try-It-Out Wheel Throwing’. All participants were brand new to pottery making and produced some delightful pieces. The participants surprised themselves at what they managed to achieve in the single three-hour session. Velda Hunter A Selection of finished bowls from the ‘Try-it-out’ throwing session P P L Y N O W Residencies available 25 sq m studio spaces – gas and electric kilns Available Sep 2014 – May 2015 www.canberrapotters.com.au South Hill Yellow House, Goulburn [email protected] www.southhillyellowhouse.com 6 The Canberra Potter October 2014 Newsletter of Canberra Potters’ Society Inc Exhibitions and opportunities ATMOSPHERE – CERAMICS GREG DALY Reflections 26 September – 19 October Belconnen Arts Centre TRENNA LANGDON & BEN KENDON This body of work brings together two ceramic artists as they explore beauty, function and sculpture. opening 4pm Saturday 4 October 2 October - 19 October Strathnairn Homestead Gallery, Stockdill Drive, Holt 27 February – 1 March, 2015 Craft Expo Entries invited Pottery Section Entry forms close 19 December, 2014 Deliver works to showgrounds by 20 February 2015 Entry Forms for Craft Expo at http://canberrashow.org.au/competitors_craft.html The theme for the 2015 show is CPS Volunteers and stewards needed to: demonstrate hand building or wheel throwing set up before and after the Show. help on the stall. sell their work at the Show. Steward Forms to be in by end of October. Space is limited so get your name down asap. Please call me with any questions. Judy McDonald 0414 342 916 Bev Hogg Studio Sale Sunday 26 October 10–4 pm 8 Brennan St, Hackett NEW BOOK Exceptional Australian ceramics by 56 renowned and early career artists in Quiet Conversations, catalogue, 2014 Skepsi Montsalvat Order copies through [email protected] Diary Dates 2014 1st Sunday of each month – Workshop Orientations* October 12 Oct – Open Day 16–26 Oct Studio to Table, exhibition Chris Harford and Rick Beviss 18‒19 Oct Michael Keighery workshop* 19 October 10am–1pm – Photographing your work with Kelly Austin* Lesa Farrant, Scantlings 11 September ‒ 25 October Lesa Farrant explores her fascination with detritus in the natural environment. Using plastic, rubbish and found objects taken from Port Willunga Beach, Farrant casts porcelain into moulds made from found objects to create plant-like forms that represent the unnatural looking natural. November 30 Oct – 9 Nov Tin Shed Art Group Exhibition 11 Nov 7pm–9pm Altered Forms course with Maryke* 16 Nov – 14 Dec Medieval Cookware course* December 10–23 Dec Christmas Gift Fair * Book workshops by phoning (02) 6241 7800 TACA MEMBERS’ EXHIBITION 2015 BELONGING Call for Proposals Curator: Madhulika Ghosh Expression of Interest deadline: 15 December 2014 www.canberrapotters.com.au 7 WATSON ARTS CENTRE – Gallery News October 2014 2014 Members’ Exhibition 26 September – 12 October The Canberra Potters’ Members’ Exhibition returns with a show of ceramics reflecting wide-ranging techniques and forms, ranging from tableware to conceptual art. Christina Baratinskas– Goodman, Butterfly wishes David Leake, Untitled Bowl Yukie Wathelet, Cosmos Studio to Table Chris Harford and Rick Beviss 16–26 October Opening event 6pm Thursday 16 October Speaker Peter Harrington, owner Sage Restaurant Chris Harford and Rick Beviss are consummate potters who have focused their efforts over many years on creating functional wares. In Studio to Table they unite to present table and domestic ware that is aesthetically pleasing, technically proficient and satisfying to use. For the majority his thirty-three years as a potter, Chris Harford has made functional tableware. He explains his attraction; In part, I’m drawn to this genre because of the technical aspects, which need to be attained and maintained to produce quality work that will withstand the rigours of daily use. The magic of working with this challenging material is something of which I will never tire. Some of Chris’ tableware in this exhibition has evolved through an ongoing commission from Michael and Peter Harrington of Sage restaurant. Chris reflects; ‘I enjoy the collaboration with the chefs to make the design complete with the food to be served’. In 2000, Rick Beviss developed the old Bungendore Fire Station into a café, gallery and two studios. He worked there as a full-time potter until 2010, making a range of domestic ware that reflected his intense interest in Japanese, Chinese and Korean pottery, and the Leach—Hamada tradition. Above: Chris Harford, Balsamic flask, image Chris Harford Right: Rick Beviss, platter, image Ian Hodgson Rick’s early training in painting and design at the South Australian School of Art and Western Teachers College is evident in his skilled brushwork. Rick explains his style; During my latter years in Bungendore, I developed a keen interest in majolica using my brushwork skills to bring work to life. Sara Hogwood Opportunities for selling your pottery We offer members the opportunity to sell their works on a commission basis. Contact [email protected] Potters Place is open Thursdays to Sundays, 10 am – 4 pm, and most public holidays www.canberrapotters.com.au 8
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