The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 53 No 2 July 2014
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<strong>The</strong> porcelain biomorphic forms <strong>of</strong> Cj Jilek<br />
In early 2013, I passed the former Perth Galleries building in <strong>No</strong>rth Fremantle daily, observing its<br />
transformation into <strong>The</strong> Clay House, Fleur Schell's new clay residency centre. In June 2013, two widely<br />
travelled, experienced US ceramic artists arrived to make it their temporary home - Cj Jilek as Program<br />
Coordinator, and Tony Wise as Permanent Resident Artist. Both artists soon endeared themselves to<br />
locals through their children's and adult's classes, and were welcomed into Perth's ceramic community.<br />
Adjusting to <strong>Australian</strong> materials was challenging but local support was generous.<br />
Tony evolved his distinctive retrolfunky thrown functional ware and, in addition to teaching clay skills<br />
at the school, taught at select Perth venues. His high-spirited, fun approach won over his students,<br />
especially the more junior ones. Cj studied our wondrous indigenous flora to inform her own plantoriented<br />
interpretations, culminating in a beautiful body <strong>of</strong> sculptural work recently exhibited along with<br />
Fleur's work at <strong>The</strong> Studio Gallery in Yallingup, WA. Chicago born Cj describes her sculpture as porcelain<br />
biomorphic forms fired in oxidation with mixed media elements. Her dogged exploration and resourceful<br />
experimentation strengthen her work through which she questions concepts <strong>of</strong> beauty, attraction,<br />
eroticism, adaptation and desire.<br />
<strong>No</strong> stone is unturned to find the perfect form, colour and sheen for her fantastic re-imagined<br />
emulation <strong>of</strong> nature's pods, seeds and parts. Slipcast, assembled, textured and painted from her<br />
authentic vision, Cj's sculptures are thrilling to both hold and behold. <strong>The</strong>re are sexy curves on curves,<br />
tactile surfaces, glowing colours, perfect quiet sheens, springy custom-died fishing line anthers, fluffy<br />
flocked, pollened tips; some pieces are even<br />
kinetic and springy - they hum with life. I learnt<br />
much about designing, slipcasting, joining and<br />
surfacing porcelain from Cj. <strong>The</strong>ir time here has<br />
ended and these artists are now <strong>of</strong>f to investigate<br />
new pastures.<br />
http://cjjilekartist,wordpress.com<br />
A report by Elaine Bradley<br />
Cj Jilek, Perianth<br />
110 THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY <strong>2014</strong>
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