deborahgowerceramics

Angele Van Den Heuvel  and I had our first chat with the Mullumbimby Scouts last night – What a fantastic group of young people. We are all looking forward to working together and having our art/ceramic exhibition Scouting Out Our ANZACS in November this year.

WW1 1914-1918 and the world commemorates 100 years since that war. To respect our local soldiers, together the local scouts and PAN artists Deborah Gower, Angele  van den Heuvel and Ros Collins will be researching World War One in relation to our local Mullum area to inspire us to create a number of artworks.

And in November we will be having an exhibition of our work at the Mullumbimby Library (stay tuned for more details)

Happy clays everyone – especially to our new Scouting friends.

Debby

I went to a thought provoking Symposium yesterday “Somewhere in France, Somewhere in Australia” at the Queensland Museum  http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/. There were interesting papers presented including one on the French Mission to Australia in 1918 and stories relating to Australians who fought in France in World War 1. There were some amazing objects with stories to tell that relate to WW1. Descendants of the owners of the items were also in the audience giving the objects a tangible link to our history.

The relationship between France and Australia cultivated through WW1- a horrendous moment in history – will forever be a relationship of shared memories, lasting friendships and future endeavours.

It is through the ANZAC Centenary that I will be taking inspiration for new clay works. More to come ………..

Happy clay days

Debby

Well Its been a full semester with some new glazes explored and some discoveries that yes one can use too much Sodium Silicate.  But that’s what it is all about learning and discovering and pushing the boundaries.

My goal this semester was to make more Banksia inspired sculptural forms. And here are the results.

That leaves 2 subjects to go to finish my Masters – One practical and one theory.  Hopefully I will get those done next Semester but its going to be a busy one with some workshops with students and descendants of our local heroes in October and an exhibition in November “Re- membering our ANZACS” .

We will see what happens.

Happy clay days

Debby

While the Gold Coast turned on the sunshine yesterday at Benowa, I had the pleasure of playing with clay with some little people at the Gold Coast Potters Market day.  Little fingers crafted coil pots, bowls, plaques and amazing creatures that stretched the bounds of their imagination (and mine).  Thank you to my little clay brothers and sisters for making the day a special one.  Happy clay days Debby  xxx

My Poppy is beginning the first leg of a long journey to France to be placed at the
gravesite of my relative Ernest Ainscow who died in WW1 and is buried in Trois
Arbres Cemetery Steenwerck.

Thank you so much to the students of Saint Monica’s in Cairns who generously offered to hold a Eulogy Service at his gravesite, during their visit to France in 2014.  Ernest sent some flowers home to his sister Lucretia during WW1 and he always asked about friends and family and mentioned his beloved Cairns whenever he wrote.

So to have the Cairns students visit his gravesite almost 100 years since he died and pay their respects to a young man (19) who gave his life to protect his family and friends is, to say the least, appreciated more than they can imagine.  Thank you Saint Monica’s Cairns, Safe Journey to you all and Safe Journey to my little poppy “Lest We Forget”

Happy clay days

Debby

Visiting the Mullumbimby RSL yesterday I was happy to bring one of my Poppy Wreaths down for a selfie photo shot as part of the Australian Ceramics association Clay Selfies Photo comp http://australianceramics.wordpress.com/2013/12/11/clayselfie/

2014-2018 remembers Australia’s participation in the First World War and the sacrifices made by Australian Defence Personnel and their families.  https://www.awm.gov.au/1914-1918/

More details coming later this year about these important celebrations.

and don’t forget to visit http://frogpondsrock.com/2014/02/sunday-ceramics-5/ where Tasmania’s Kim Foale and friends keep you up to date on ceramic happenings in their part of the clay world.

happy clay days

Debby

  Practicing Artists Network  is a non-profit incorporated association committed to furthering and promoting visual arts in the Byron Shire and surrounds.   14-28 February  at Lennox Art Space 4/64 Ballina St, Lennox Heads 2478  PAN will be having an exhibition of inspiring mixed media pieces.

Yes that’s one of my Banksia pots on the flyer.  Please come and check out more creative art pieces by some very talented Northern Rivers artists.

Happy clay days

Debby x

Its Changeover at the Art Cube in Mullum today.  I love my curating job.  I had the pleasure of meeting up with local artist Bruce Pringle and installing

Navigator by Bruce Pringle,  3 February 2014 – 3 March 2014 at The Art CUBE, Foyer, Byron Shire Council, Mullumbimby

Mullumbimby, NSW, 3rd February, 2014

Bruce Pringle is a blacksmith and metal artist based in Byron Bay, New South Wales. He specialises in traditional forged decorative iron, iron and Stainless Steel jewellery, stainless steel utensils, knives, bronze casting and sculpture for both exhibition and commission.

“I use a strange clay, of terrible purpose, malleable to the instincts of art.” says Bruce. His work has gained international recognition over the last 30 years and he continues to pursue higher levels of excellence in the blacksmithing and sculpture fields. Bruce is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading artistic blacksmiths and metal sculptors, whose work has been described as “Music in Metal”

Bruce’s piece NAVIGATOR is inspired by the Pacific Marshall Islanders’ stick-maps of palm frond and shells.  This piece is about knowing in our bones how we come to be in this place. The flight of birds, winds on water and deep currents in thought, triangulate with dreams and stars to bring us home.”

Welded steel and gold leaf $1,850.00

You can see more of Bruce’s work at www.hammerandhand.com.au or http://www.brucepringle.com/ and can contact him at bruce@brucepringle.com

For Further Media Information Contact :

CUBE curator: Deborah Gower   Gowerpdr@bigpond.com

It’s been a very busy new year for me.  January I have spent a week at Australian National University Canberra getting inspired and learning so much at a Glaze Development Intensive.  With the other eager to learn potters we were expertly guided by Master Potter Greg Daly through the maze of Glazes, fluxes, oxides, Glass Formers and stabilizers.  You can check out all the ceramic adventures that happen at ANU through their fb Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/ANU-Ceramics-Workshop/140461206033615?fref=ts  Personally I have been exploring some Cone 03 Oxidised Glazes and adding a hint of foaming texture to my work.  So time to make some more test tiles and do some more testing. Happy clay days FB

Debby