L’uomo - Masters of Ceramics

Sabbia Gallery | 12 June - 11 July 2020

In 2020 I was invited to participate in a group exhibition of Australian ceramics at Sabbia Gallery in Sydney, Australia. L’uomo - Masters of Ceramics included the works of some of Australia’s preeminent ceramic artists - Les Blakebrough AM, Greg Daly, John Dermer, Rupert Jack, Jeffery Mincham AM, Ted Secombe & Thomas Ilytjari Tjilya.

From the Sabbia website:
“Sabbia presents our annual Masters of Ceramics exhibition series, acknowledging the mentorship and shared knowledge that ceramists work within. A fairly solitary existence, ceramists often find themselves working in their studios quietly without any feedback from other artists whose opinions matter, and at their heart they are alchemists that push the confines of clay and glazes. Each work with the material different ways, highlighting the ability that clay has to be re-imagined in the hands of the artist.

“There is one subject matter that all the artists in L’uomo have been heavily influenced by, and that is the landscape – whether in country NSW, Tasmania & Coledale, the Adelaide Hills or Ernabella, each brings a distinct personal style that connects with how they see their world. We are pleased to bring together this group of artists who create such strong work that resonates with our audience and shows the depth of Australian ceramic artists.”

My body of work for the exhibition extended my exploration of the link between geology and ceramics. Throughout its creation, following the 2019/2020 Australian bushfire season and in the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, I was somewhat preoccupied with thoughts of the precariousness of humanity’s existence and with feelings of unease about creating in a world of ever dwindling natural resources. How can you justify the use of limited materials, in the arts or in the wider world? Perhaps by making with purpose. By making with material constraint. By imbuing lowly and ubiquitous materials, such as clay, with beauty and agency. By using rare and noble materials, such as gold and silver, sparingly and in a way that can turn a trace amount into something much grander, which has the potential to move beyond the material and connect with and inspire the human soul.

For more information about the exhibition, please click here to visit the Sabbia Gallery website.