May 2024

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

The talk about the Indian Ceramic Triennale held on March 21 by Matt Russell, Jenny Wood and myself at North Metropolitan TAFE was attend by about 40 people and has been recorded for posterity. Thank you to Bela Kotai and Lee Woodcock at the Ceramics Department at NM TAFE for organising the venue and recording facilities and being so supportive.

There is also a video from one of the events we attended called 'Smogware: Delhi' which you can view from this newsletter.

Read the full presidents report here for more topics on workshops, exhibitions and discussions held over the past 3 months.

Empty Bowls Needs You!

Only 3 months to go till the EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER on August 18th.

Your beautiful bowl donations are very much appreciated for this worthy cause.

Contact Dee Sarre to get involved dee@whitepeacockstudios.com.au

or visit www.emptybowlsperth.com

MUD Report | Melanie Sharpham's Studio Visit

Photos courtesy of Janet Hummerston

By Lynn Carlin

On a lovely autumn April afternoon eleven keen participants and three MUD committee members attended Melanie Sharpham's studio in Kensington for our regular MUD (make understand and demonstrate) studio visits.

Mel’s ceramic journey began in Nelson NZ whilst on holiday when she attended a throwing demonstration. Immediately upon returning home she enrolled in a throwing class run by Bev Gallop. Bev's instruction in throwing and hand building methods are still an inspiration to Melanie today. Other ceramic artists, who inspired her are Jocelyn Gregson, design and drawing lecturer, Bela Kotai, third year TAFE lecturer, and Angela Mellor, her slip casting mentor. 

Although initially not inspired with slip casting Mel recognised the method suited the organic shapes she was interested in for homewares and market placement.

Sonorous Ceramic | Blue Studio Residency

Written by Andrea Vinkovic

Prelude

Offering a ceramic residency is a great way of meeting interesting people, expanding the network of professional contacts and exchanging ideas with other creative individuals. I enjoy facilitating creative projects and sharing stimulating conversations over a coffee or a meal.

Sometime in February I have received the following email:

Hello, I am a cello player and composer and wanted to know if your residency includes musicians. Regards,

Emily

As simple and as unexpected as that. 

Watch Smogware: Delhi

Smogware: Delhi

2024 | PORCELAIN, DELHI SMOG DUST

Indian Ceramics Triennale in 2024

The Smogware project uses locally harvested smog dust to create ceramics that represents air pollution of each city. Using smog dust as part of the glaze for tableware – an integral part of everyday life – LAB Air engages audiences through a visual demonstration of the impacts of air quality. Inscriptions on a selection of tableware tell how long citizens inhale the amount of dust that is used to stain the glaze of that particular item; LDN 45 stands for 45 years of breathing in London, RTM 10 for 10 years in Rotterdam.

For Smogware: Delhi, thali sets and kulhads were developed in collaboration with local ceramists Arti Paliwal and Aniruddh Sagar in recycled clay by Earth Tatva. Workshops were conducted in New Delhi to collect smog dust later used as glaze, representing inhaled amounts over the period of years mentioned in the code.

In collaboration with Cascoland, lunch and chai are served in activation events engaging the audience in conversations related to air pollution and sustainable food production and consumption. 

Note: You can find our own Janet Hummerston and Bernard Kerr in attendance in the video!

Australian Ceramics Triennale | 2025

Expressions of Interest now OPEN! For more information and to apply please visit Here.

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

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