The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 2 July 2013

Australia Wide
Congratulations to the NETS Victoria, for touring
the notoriously demanding medium of ceramics.
Tooth and Nail: Cross Cultural Influences in
Contemporary Ceramics was curated by RMIT's
Stephen Gallagher who acknowledges Australia's
geographical location in the Asia-Pacific region
and sharing of skills and knowledge with the
East has long been an influence upon Australian
ceramicists and, more recently, vice versa for
ceramicists from China and Hong Kong. I
enjoyed the comparative exercise of discerning
how origin, culture and training mayor may
not predict artistic outcomes of the artists
represented. Tooth and Nail completes its yearlong
Victorian tour at Wangaratta Exhibitions
Gallery from 24 August to 22 September.
National Gallery of Victoria International currently
hosts French artist Celeste Boursier-Mougenot's
installation Clinamen. Sited beautifully
between the Water Wall and the Great Hall, the
installation consists of more than 100 porcelain
bowls floating on a circle of bright blue water.
A swift jet stream intersects the pool, causing
the bowls to collide producing bright, resonant,
chiming sounds. Viewed from the balcony,
spontaneous groupings and patterns occur. While
Boursier-Mougenot is primarily concerned with
the musical potential of materials, by combining
water and clay together Cfinamen highlights
porcelain's innate qualities of lightness, strength
and that ringing tone we potters all know and
love. See Cfinamen, not only for the work itself
but also for the delighted audience responses,
until 8 September.
Fiona Hall's exhibition at Heide Museum of
Modern Art has appreciative tongues wagging.
Anyone influenced by textile, found objects,
dexterous making or conceptual issues related to
environment, colonialism or consumerism shall be
inspired by Big Game Hunting, ends 21 July, so
hurry! Heide continues to spoil us by presenting a
significant survey of Stephen Benwell's distinctive
practice from 8 to 27 August.
Robyn Phelan
www.robynphelan.com.au
E: email@robynphelan.com.au
wa
In June, Polytechnic West Diploma Environmental
Arts students participated in Gomboc Gallery's
30th Sculpture Survey with outdoor ceramic
sculptures. Central Institute of Technology (C ln
Perth is running an exciting Winter Ceramics
School for the first time in the July school
holidays offering a master class in paperclay with
Graham Hay who may hopefully share news from
his frequent travels lecturing on paperclay across
the globe. There will also be opportunities to
learn wheel-throwing with Warvvick Palmateer,
and Raku with Njalikwa Chongwe who dazzled
us at CAAWf>:s PotOber last year. Other stars
include Sandra Black and Robyn Varpins.
Graham Hay continues his research with a
ceramics 3D printer at CIT to the fascination
and interest of the students. Muddy Buddy
classes, with parents and kids on the wheel and
skyscrapers built with clay, were part of CIT's
holiday classes for younger budding potters.
In North Fremantle, another international
clay star, Fleur Schell, has launched The Clay
House, a divine clay school of her own, in a
swish, fun venue in North Fremantle. Her team
includes US ceramic artists CJ Jilek and Tony
Wise offering exciting after-school options for
kids, professional development, printing on clay,
amazing slipcasting, handbuilding and, of course,
throwing workshops; http://theclayhouse.com.au.
Congratulations to Whiteman Park Pottery which
celebrates 25 years as a cooperative this year.
Ceramic Arts Association of WA (CAAWA) held
its 2013 Members Selective Competition in
April/May at Heathcote Museum and Gallery,
Applecross. Highly Commended awards were
given to Atsuko Sandover, Jackie Masters
and Janis Heston. The Judge's Award went to
Njalikwa Chongwe, the Kusnik Award to Stewart
Scambler and the People's Choice to Robyn Lees.
Images from this beautiful display of talent plus
a wealth of useful information may be found on
CAAWA's superb website; www.ceramicartswa.
asn.au.
Bet you all wish you lived in WAf
Elaine Bradley
E: lalab@iinet.net.au
THE IOURNAl OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS IUlY 2013 109