The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 53 No 2 July 2014
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Round the Mountain<br />
Merrie Hamilton reviews Gai l Nichols' recent exhibition at Sabbia Gallery<br />
I made it to Gail Nichols' Sabbia Show in <strong>July</strong> 2013 on the second last day. Despite the plethora <strong>of</strong> red<br />
stickers, three women huddled in discussion - deciding on a purchase.<br />
I know Nichols' work (we live in the same community), but have never been in a big room full <strong>of</strong> her<br />
pots. <strong>The</strong>re are thirty-five and it's quite an experience. I am unexpectedly gobsmacked. <strong>The</strong>y look more<br />
colourful than I remember and there is definitely a new wow factor - they sparkle.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Sabbia Gallery girls are masters <strong>of</strong> display. <strong>The</strong>ir podia seem to float, the natural light is gorgeous<br />
(huge windows allow you to actually see the show as you drive past) and their artificial lighting is precise<br />
and flattering. And so to the pots themselves ... many are very large and there are several different<br />
forms. Most stand quietly, modestly, swelling gently from tapered bases into elegant open bowls,<br />
cylinders and shouldered pot forms. <strong>No</strong>t all are vertical. <strong>The</strong>re are also rhythmically undulating horizontal<br />
works, reminiscent <strong>of</strong> stingrays (which Nichols calls Wave Plates) and solid 'rocks' reminding me <strong>of</strong><br />
Aboriginal grinding stones.<br />
<strong>The</strong> surfaces are intoxicating. I resist the urge to put my tongue to them but cannot resist some<br />
fondling <strong>of</strong> the baby skin smoothness. What might appear to be bubbling or pocking or foaming is<br />
cool and sensual to the (illegal) touch . You know that what you are looking at is hand-wrought and<br />
contrived, but you could be amongst natural forms from our local landscape. Surfaces appear to reflect<br />
the mineral content <strong>of</strong> boulders swathed in mist. <strong>The</strong> feel is ancient and yet, oh so contemporary.<br />
All work by Gail Nichols; photos: Michel Brauet<br />
Below left: Flame Round the Mountain, 2012. stoneware, soda-vapour glaze, h.36cm, w.43cm<br />
Below middle: Spring Rain, 2012, stoneware, soda-vapour glaze, h.27ern, w.18cm, d.16cm<br />
Below right: Days <strong>of</strong> Deluge, 2013, stoneware, soda-vapour glaze, h.23cm, w.38cm, d.35cm<br />
,<br />
r_ .... ' • _ ~.. ~:!. • .. . ' .<br />
THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY <strong>2014</strong> 81
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