Archive for April 2012

Ritual Object : a new sculptural work in progress…

I live on a rural property in regional Victoria, Australia, and am surrounded by trees, wildlife, an amazing creek and views of Mt Buninyong and Mt Warrenheip – sleeping volcanoes! A few months ago, while walking around my 10 acre property I found a stone that reminded me of the shape of an axe due to its shape and that one edge was

particularly sharp. The find inspired me to think about tribal ‘objects’ and their demystification through colonialism, museology and ‘collecting’ (these were issues I explored in my PhD, so this artwork is a further exploration of this theme). These images are of a work in progress… I have attached the

axe-like stone I found to a stick of eucalyptus using natural jute. Traditionally this would have been attached using reeds, bark, animal skin, etc, and secured in place using sap, honey or tree resin as a glue. I then covered most of the stone with Australian Queen Elizabeth stamps from 1953 (I will need to double check that date, but they are pre decimal currency stamps which was introduced to Australia in 1966). The stamps symbolize the hijacking of dominate cultures over tribal/ethnic cultures and their associated artefacts.

The entire form has then been ‘decoupaged’ with a layer of PVA. I may do more layers of PVA as this gives the form a hard and plastic-like appearance, thus reverberating the objectification of such artefacts.

At this stage I would like to ‘display’ the ‘axe’ on a stand or in perspex box heightening the cultural ‘acquisition’ statement of the artwork.

While this work is an early experiment on the theme, I am happy with how it is evolving and would like to explore making a series of works along this theme.

Ceramic Classes – Term 2, 2012

Term 2 is fast approaching…. this term I am offering classes at my ClayMotion studio in Dunnstown, Ballarat AND Jewellery Making Workshops at the Ballarat Nth Community Centre and the Dayelsford Neighbourhood House.

Enrolment for the ClayMotion classes can be made online at the ClayMotion website.

Enrolment for the Jewellery Making Workshops MUST be made through the community centres – phone numbers are below.

Classes are filling fast, so be sure to enrol as soon as possible

ClayMotion Classes
Adults Classes
26th April—27th June, Wednesday 10am-12noon or Thursday 7-9pm
Beginners to advanced, Wheelthrowing and handbuilding, Set projects or self initiated
$150.00 per term (materials and glazing not included: these costs will vary dependent on what a student makes)

Mums Classes: Time Out Sessions
26th April—27th June, Tuesday 1pm-3pm
Beginners to advanced, Wheelthrowing and handbuilding, Set projects or self initiated
$150.00 per term (materials and glazing not included: these costs will vary dependent on what a student makes)

Childrens Classes
2nd May—20th June, Wednesday 4-5.30pm
Set projects are explored using a range of handbuilding techniques.
$90.00 per term (materials and glazing not included: these costs will vary dependent on what a student makes)

Jewellery Making Workshops

ENROLMENTS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE CENTRES: phone numbers below. $60.00 including all materials, firing and jewellery findings.

Daylesford Neighbourhood House : 5348 3569
3rd-24th May, Thursday 10am-Noon OR 6th-27th June, Wednesday 7pm-9pm

Ballarat North Community House : 5329 1101
15th May 5th June, Tuesday 10am-Noon

A Public Art Perspective: Sculpture Exhibition in Ballarat.

Focusing on the benefit of public art to the broader community, including business, the public and local artists,  A Public Art Perspective consists of two linked exhibitions: Backspace – exhibiting a range of smaller marquette works, and Backyard Gallery – displaying public art from some of Australia’a leading public artists.

The marguette works are on show in an intimate gallery space, and the larger works are sited in the centre of the Ballarat Arts Precinct: adjacent to the Ballarat Art Gallery, Backspace Gallery, and the University of Ballarat Arts Academy; home of Inge King’s landmark sculpture Grand Arch; and the site of community celebrations such as Harmony Festival, effectively cementing Alfred Deakin Place as an arts hub for downtown Ballarat.

Curated by Julie Collins the exhibition represents a diverse sculptural practice, ranging form the playful mixed media sculptures of Louise Paramor, the formal sculptures of Robert Hague through to the powerful works of Bruce Armstrong.

The exhibition is ongoing until the 22 April, and is well worth a visit.

Featured artists:
Bruce Armstrong
Robert Bridgewater
Chaco Kato
Robert Hague
Matthew Harding
Louise Paramor
Julie Collins & Derek John
Inge King

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Family Ceramics Classes

Easter Sunday: A Family wanting something different to do with the day… a variation on spending time together – a ceramic session!! yaya!!

This is a great activity for families – young or old – to spend some quality time together. Being creative stimulates conversation, feelings and bonding… art is a great way to reconnect.

This family spent two hours creating, had a one hour picnic lunch break ( the studio is on a beautiful 10 acre property) , then a one hour period decorating their artworks with coloured slip…

The group had limited exposure to ceramics, so I provided a wheelthrowing demonstration and tuition in decorative techniques, and future creative outcomes.

A great fun time was had by all!!

(PS: creative workshops like this are great for corporate team building, art therapy workshops and differently abled people – contact me for any customised workshops you may envisage.)

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Ceramic Jewellery Currently Listed on Etsy: 15% discount!

Currently I have a range of ceramic jewellery available in my Etsy store AND am having a 15% off EVERYTHING sale just in time for Mother’s Day.

All jewellery is handmade and fired to stoneware temperature, making it durable and scratch proof- with the exception of two saggar fired pieces: these have been coated in a hard floor wax to make the surface durable.

The nature of ‘handmade’ means that all jewellery is unique – no two pieces are ever alike. Unique custom orders can also be made to your specifications.

All jewellery comes packaged in a handmade felt jewellery pouch featuring recycled buttons: perfect to keep jewellery safe; equally perfect for gift giving.

Postage is FREE anywhere in Australia and only $8.00 anywhere else in the world (less for multiple purchases).

SO click on my Etsy store and buy now for Mother’s Day, birthdays … or for yourself!!

AND more importantly buy handmade!!

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New Macro Photography listed on Fine Art America

I have some new photographs added to my Fine Art America Site. The images were taken on my rural property in Victoria, Australia, and depict how, over time, the altered landscape becomes organic and embedded within the natural environment.

My Fine Art America portfolio also has images of the textures of my ceramics in the landscape, images of fire, and photographs of urban and natural landscapes I experienced in France.

All images are available to order as canvas prints, fine art prints, acrylic prints, framed pints and gift cards.

Shipped anywhere in the world, any of these images would make an ideal Mother’s Day Gift: unique artwork!!

ENJOY

FarmGate

Lichen Rock

Fences

Lichen