The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 49 No 2 July 2010

Profile
One can be read as a physical environment, while the other, which has been subjected to a process of
erosion, exists in memory.
Mark making is another established and significant part of her visual vocabulary, initially developed
through the course of her work, particularly with renowned European graphic artist and experimental
filmmaker Priit parn. Mark making suggests references to landscape and pattern in Altpere-Woodhead 's
ceramic works, and contributes to the illusion of pictorial depth. She acknowledges the influence of
Imants Tillers, who inspired her to confront Australia's space. Working on a series of panels in a small
studio, Tillers is able to produce monumental compositions that are equally about continuity and
disjuncture.
In Lending Face in 2007, at Canberra's artist-run ANCA Gallery, she presented entirely wall-based
works including the seminal Midnight Rainbow. This show established her current direction which
has resulted in the Soul's Garden series of works exhibited in Honey and Pepper, a group show at
the Belconnen Art Centre and the Shadow of Memory and Echo series, which are in Contemporary
Ceramics at Kerrie l owe Gallery, Sydney.
The approach moves on from an investigation of memory linked to the metaphor of the vessel, which
was the focus of Threshold, an exhibition held in 2005 at the Raglan Gallery, Cooma. landscape
references were strongly evident as was the use of a restricted colour palette and the intaglio and monoprinting
technique that has become Altpere-Woodhead's signature. Her fascination with the depth of
surface she can achieve using translucent porcelain has grown, both with practice and as a result of
her training. It finds full pa interly expression in recent works, which take up the ancient tradition of the
ceramic tile. Using the production techniques of casting and printing, Altpere-Woodhead creates not
multiples, but unique pieces that are composed, post-firing, into wall installations.
Altpere-Woodhead has learned that artistic development can be achieved if one is prepared to
move on from the familiar, comfort zone. Keen intelligence, natural curiosity and a need for creative
self-expression drives Altpere-Woodhead as she continues to evolve and develop as an artist along the
lifelong path of ceramic investigation.
www.craftact.org.au/portfolios/artist.php?id=269
Ann McMahon is a curator, artist and arts writer who lives in Canberra.
See more of Maiju Altpere­
Woodhead's techniques on the
following pages 20 and 21 .
Patterns of Light - Maiju Altpere-Woodhead
16 July - 3 August 2010, Kerrie Lowe Gallery
49 - 51 King Street, Newtown NSW
www.kerrielowe.com
Opposite page:
Maiju Altpere-Woodhead, Echo #3.
2010 porcelain, monoprint, eros.ion,
1300"C. h.l00cm, w. l00cm
photo: Derek Ross
18 THE JDURNAl OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY 2010