The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 48 No 3 November 2009

Australia Wide
act
Ruth Byrne, Facetted Bowls, terracotta. stoneware. shine
glaze, stonevvare reduction firing, The Journal of Australian
Ceramics Tertiary Student Merit Award
What a feast of ceramics we have had in
Canberra. At the ANU Drill Hall Gallery there
were two 'must-see' exhibitions. Parades, Trails,
Echoes and Bowls, ceramics by Gwyn Hanssen
Pigott, included her six metre long commission
for the Queensland Department of Justice.
This work, titled Parade, comprises more than
seventy pieces and is exquisite in its complexity.
This exhibition has now moved to the Rex Irwin
Gallery in Sydney where it will be until mid­
December and I urge all to take the opportunity
to view it. The second exhibition was a rare
chance to see some of the ceramic work and
drawings of Arthur and Merric Boyd held in the
Bundanon collection.
Owen Rye, who was artist-in-residence at
Strathnairn Arts Association for a few weeks, had
an impressive and popular exhibition of some
of his recent work at the Watson Arts Centre
Gallery and also entertained us during a one-day
workshop at Strathnairn.
The new Belconnen Arts Centre has just opened.
On the shores of Lake Ginninderra, it is a striking
building and will surely be a great addition to the
arts facilities in Canberra and the venue for many
exciting exhibitions and events.
The Canberra Potters' Society annual selected
members exhibition took place in October at the
Watson Arts Centre. This year the selector and
judge was John Freeland.
As the end of the year approaches I wish all a
peaceful festive season and hope that some of
you will have been to Watson Arts Centre to visit
my exhibition which will close at about the time
this issue hits the post.
Cheers, Jane Crick
E: janecrick@dodo.com.au
nsw
It was a great educational experience to see so
many ceramic exhibitions on during the national
ceramic conference. Three trips to Sydney and I
still did not cover all the shows. The Newcastle
Art School ceramic students certainly took
advantage of seeing some of the outstanding
clay work being done by national and
international practitioners. Educationally, it fitted
in well to critically analysing contemporary work
and gallery presentation. The accompanying
catalogues were another useful teaching
resource.
The exhibition of Alan Peascod's ceramics was a
fitting tribute to a ceramic artist who had truly
mastered so many aspects of the craft. His work
is timeless and once again generated a lot of
discussion on the depth of intelligent thought
in art-making. His drawings also gave validity to
the importance of drawing skills in all aspects of
creative development.
Back to Back Ga lleries annual Small exhibition
again attracted many artists over a range of
mediums. This yea r the popular show had a
theme of Down the rabbit hole and through
the looking glass opening up the imagination
to many possibil ities.
Nicola Purcell held a well-attended class on
Neriage at Newcastle Studio Potters Inc. The
results have inspired the participants to pursue it
further and they are looking forward to a more
in-depth workshop.
Maitland Gallery recently had a grand reopening
of its premises after major reconstruction . It is
an impressive piece of architecture blending
the beautiful old heritage building with a
contemporary addit ion. The internal space is just
as splendid and there is a good size gallery shop.
Well worth a visit. wwvv.mrag.org.au
Sue Stewart
E: sue@ceramicartist.com.au
qld far north
The Cairns Potters Club is busy preparing for its
9th National Ceramic exhibition Melting Pot
2009. Approximately $6000 has been raised for
the sponsorship of awards. It would be great
to see ceramicists from other parts of Australia
entering the exhibition. The entries close Friday
23 October and entry forms can be downloaded
from our website wwvv.cairnspottersclub.net.
The exhibition runs from Friday 13 November to
t02 THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS NOVEMBER 2009