The newsletter for all things clay in WA

February 2023

Vision Statement
To make Western Australia a vibrant global centre for the ceramic arts.


Mission Statement
To develop a community that nurtures understanding, practice and passion for the ceramic arts.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The new year has come and we are almost on our way towards the weather being cool enough to work in studios and communal workspaces without clay drying out if assiduous preventative measures are not taken.

 

The Christmas Party referenced in the last PYRE was held at Jeanne Armstrong’s residence and allowed members some time to unwind, talk ceramics and enjoy Cat Connor’s fire twirling and fire eating performance on Jeanne’s front lawn.

This seemed to be rather a novelty in Floreat and a number of neighbours were able to enjoy the experience from the street as well as those present. Thank you Jeanne for hosting and Cat for performing. We also had the traditional exchange of handmade ceramic gifts, which is always a great joy.

 

The major CAAWA event at the end of last year was the Ceramic Triennale planning day held at Fremantle Arts Centre on November 26th. I am including some material from that day so that our ceramic community is aware of what was discussed and the direction that the Triennale is heading.

 

Contemporary ceramic practice is a multi-faceted discipline that continues to confound and transform.

I hope that this describes your practice as well. 

 

Warm Regards,

Bernard

The Australian Ceramics Triennale 2025 has a name:

WEDGE

That which connects us, that which supports us, that which divides us.

The CAAWA committee has agreed that the Triennale will be called ‘WEDGE’ as the term provides a good conceptual basis for three days of the conference. WEDGE was chosen as the multiple meanings of the term linked well to aspects of contemporary ceramics. The CAAWA Triennale Steering Committee has held two meetings already this year and things are underway.

 

Wedge proposes to explore connections, collaborations and divisions in ceramic practices within human culture. Our ability to manipulate, process and transform environmental materials through increasingly sophisticated understandings and application of elemental forces is continually reshaping our world and our position within it. 

 

To keep up to date with all things Australian Ceramics Triennale, sign up to our mailing list at australianceramicstriennale.com.au

Click to read more about the Wedge name

MUD | Abstract Forms with Holly O'Meehan

Sunday, 12 March

Where: Karlup Ceramics Studio

When: 1.30pm - 3.30pm

Cost: Members $40,
General Public $50

 

Join us for a hands on demo and workshop with Holly making Abstract Forms.

BYO Tools and stick around afterwards for a social hour and meet-n-greet, nibbles provided.

 
Book now!

Artist In Residence: Dr. Cathy Franzi at the Vancouver Arts Centre in Albany, WA

by Janelle Peterson

In January, Dr Cathy Franzi began an artist residency in Albany at Vancouver Arts centre.

 

Dr Cathy Franzi is an award-winning visual artist interested in expressing scientific and environmental knowledge through the representation of Australian flora on ceramic form.

Continue Reading

MEMBERS' SELECTIVE EXHIBITION 2023

Save the date for the upcoming Members' Selective Exhibition 2023, which will be held at the Moores Building from September 16th to October 1st.

 

This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your talent and creativity to a wider audience, as well as to support and celebrate the local ceramics community.

 

With 60 artists and over 100 pieces exhibited last year, we are excited to see what our talented members will bring to the table this year.

 

Look out for more about the application process soon!

 

If you missed out seeing the last year’s exhibition, head to our website to see award winners, a virtual view of the exhibition as well as the President's speech and judges comment by clicking below.

Members' Selective Exhibition Overview

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WA

EXHIBITION & GALLERY OPENING | Bela Kotai

Saturday, 25 February

Art & Design Studio, Mandurah

Sat 25 - Sun 26 Feb, Sat 4 - Sun 5 Mar | 2pm - 5pm

 

 

 

ART & DESIGN STUDIO invites you to the opening of our studio gallery and exhibition of new work by Western Australian master potter Bela Kotai

 

14 Rafferty Road, Mandurah

 

OPEN STUDIO event with demonstrations Sun 26 February 2-5pm


E. admin@artdesignstudio.com.au

M. 0413 336 595

 

 

 

EXHIBITION | Know Thy Neighbour #3
Friday, 24 February | 5-7pm

Cullity Gallery, UWA, Nedlands

21 February - 25 March | Mon - Fri, 9.30am-5pm

In partnership with the University of Western Australia’s School of Design, Spaced is pleased to realise the final component of our Know Thy Neighbour #3 residency program, with an exhibition at Cullity Gallery.

 

Now in its third iteration, Know Thy Neighbour has historically dealt with how communities engage with their local cultural and urban context, asking artists to work within these social networks to unveil new understandings of place.

 

RSVP via Facebook

spaced.org.au

 

EXHIBITION | BEYOND SURFACE

8 March - 2 April

Rockingham Arts Centre, Rockingham

Wed - Sun | 10am - 4pm

Valerie Schönjahn and Miguel Castro     

Exhibition dates: Wednesday 8 March to Sunday 2 April 2023  

Opening times: 10am - 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday

Location: Rockingham Arts Centre, 11 Kent Street, Rockingham  

Cost: Free entry

 

In pursuit of harmony, these works connect with the self. Both artists are led by the process; the repetitive actions of the hands create complexity and abundance in the work. As a meditation of the self and nature, the work is   spiritual in process and in outcome. Composed of many individual pieces that are distinct in themselves, this work is cohesive as a whole, and holds space for individual interpretations. 

 

https://rockingham.wa.gov.au/events,-culture-and-tourism/arts-and-culture/exhibitions-and-events

 

VIDEO | Amy Kennedy in Short Term Artist Residencies

An insight into two short term artist residencies with artists Pie Bolton & Sharon Muir.
I had the pleasure of working with both Pie Bolton and Sharon Muir in my EVOLVE mentoring program in 2022, and during this time they undertook, or were preparing to undertake, unique short term artist residencies within Victoria, Australia, my home state.
Click to watch
HERE. Duration 48:17mins

OPPORTUNITY | INTERNATIONAL | 13th International Ceramics Competition Mino, Japan 2024

Applications are open for the 13th International Ceramics Competition Mino, Japan

Theme “The Future of Ceramics”.

Entries should go beyond traditional concepts in a way that is imaginative and inspired – one that opens the door to the future of the ceramics.

The competition is open to everyone. Application period: February 1, 2023 – January 31, 2024.

There will me multiple prizes awarded, including the Grand Prix

(5,000,000 JPY or ~AUD$52,500)

 

https://www.icfmino.com/13th/

 

OPPORTUNITY | INTERNATIONAL | Martinsons Award: 2023 International Ceramics Competition

Latvian Centre for Contemporary Ceramics in cooperation with the Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre announces an open call for the MARTINSONS AWARD 2023 International Ceramics Competition under the 4th Latvia Ceramics Biennale 2023. The theme is Troubled Waters. The applicants are not restricted by age or nationality.

Each applicant (individual artist or a group) can submit up to two artworks.
More info
HERE.

OPPORTUNITY | NATIONAL | Bonsai Pot Acquisition Prize 2023

Applications close Wed 15 March


Bonsai Pot Acquisition Prize 2023


The Bonsai Pot Acquisition Prize is to encourage the appreciation of the art of bonsai pottery and to highlight the beauty and functionality of bonsai pots. The beauty and style of the pot adds to the aesthetics, the emotions evoked and to the way a bonsai is styled and maintained.
More info and application HERE.

GET IN TOUCH

PYRE is published quarterly.

February, May, August, and November.

 

We are looking for stories! Please email through articles, reports and other newsworthy items may be sent to:

 

Jeanne Armstrong, Editor

pyre@ceramicartswa.asn.au

To join CAAWA visit our website!