It has been quiet lately on the ceramic front – due to my shoulder injury but slowly I am doing a bit more each week. I put the kiln on this week delving into spoons and poppies and infinite possibilities. Stay tuned for some interesting news in the next few months.
And don’t forget to check out what everyone is up to at mud colony this week
happy clay days
Debby
Its that time again – One of my favourite times as Curator of the Art CUBE at Byron Shire Council Chambers, Mullumbimby.
This month we have the pleasure of Wendy Johnson’s “Reclaiming Joy” A hyperbolic metaphor turning negative garden weed and debri into a positively inspiring sculpture. We hadn’t even finished the install before people were coming over to look and giving Wendy wonderful praise for her work.
You can see “Reclaiming Joy” at the ART CUBE at the Byron Bay Council Chambers in Mullumbimby.
Thanks for exhibiting Wendy.
Happy clay days
Debby
Banksia V will be at Lone Goat Gallery PANartists SHOW
You can check out all the work from Northern Rivers PAN artists at the show.
Friday night 9 August, James Guppy will be opening the PAN artists Show at Lone Goat Gallery Byron Bay. All welcome.
and Mud Colony is WAITING !!
http://mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/
Happy Clay Days
Debby xxx
The NEW LOOK Mud Colony is WAITING !!
Featured Artist interviews to get to know our MC community!!
We’d love YOU to join us with your blog !!
http://mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/
One of my favorite roles is that of Curator of the Art CUBE, Byron Shire Council, Mullumbimby 2013
This morning I had the pleasure of meeting up with local artist Liam Bruce as he installed his latest series of ceramic works.
“LOVE FEEL LIGHT” An exhibition by Liam Bruce 29 July – 30 August 2013 at The Art CUBE, Foyer, Byron Shire Council, Mullumbimby 2013
Liam Bruce is exhibiting his new range of ceramic art in the Art CUBE in the foyer of the Council Chambers in Mullumbimby this month.
“LOVE FEEL LIGHT” This latest series of ceramic art by Liam has been inspired by his visits to the Byron Lighthouse. They provide an interesting medium through which Liam can share his simple and often whimsical philosophy of life . . . revealed through his choice of colour and form.
You can see more of Liam’s work at 3rd Annual Incredible Art Show, at Studio RED, Tasman Way, Byron Arts and Industry on Oct 18th-20th 2013 or go to www.liamart.ning.com or email him: liam@mullum.com.au
Pinky and Maurice are looking for 100 people to decorate 100 porcelain bowls with at Pinky & Maurice Contemporary Ceramics at the open studio weekend on Sat 17 – Sun 18 August. See demos, hear artists talks, have fun!
For your nearest Open Studio location please check out: http://australianceramics.com/home/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=categoryevents&id=1
Pic: Zion Levy Stewart and curator of the ART CUBE Debby Gower enjoying Zion’s art work.
At the smallest gallery in the Byron Shire, the Art CUBE, this month I am so happy to have local artist Zion Levy Stewart exhibiting his work.
“Let me paint your portrait” An exhibition by
Zion Levy Stewart
29 June -26 July 2013 at The Art CUBE, Foyer, Byron Shire Council, Mullumbimby 2013
Zion Levy Stewart is the latest artist to exhibit in the art CUBE in the foyer of the Council Chambers in Mullumbimby. “Let me paint your portrait” showcases the passion that Zion brings to his creative portraits. Affectionately known as the CUBE, curator Debby Gower says “The CUBE is the smallest Gallery in the Byron Shire and its all about promoting local 3D Art. It’s a pleasure to have locals and tourists engaging with the energetic and vibrant work that Zion creates.” Zion has exhibited in a number of local and interstate venues including solo exhibitions at Lulu’s Cafe, Mullumbimby: Serpentine Gallery Exhibition, Lismore: Australian Ceramics Triennial “Off the Edge” at Chrissy Cotter Gallery, Sydney: Ocean Shores Arts Expo “The Elements”, Ocean Shores NSW 2010: IncREDible Art Show, Byron Bay.
Collaborating with other artists in Northern Rivers, Zion has exhibited for R.E.D Inc. R.E.D Inc aims to see young people with disabilities viewed as valued and respected community members, experiencing a fulfilling range of life opportunities and choices. Additionally Zion has also had several commissions for portraits, various paintings and ceramic pieces over the past few years. His work is in private art collections in the US, UK and here in Australia.
A love of life gives Zion the inspiration to be “interested in the world outside, full of summer, people, wallabies, birds, snakes and fish. When I make art it makes me feel happy and I love being an artist. My art is very happy and makes people smile. Let me paint your portrait and you’ll be happy too.”
Anyone wanting to be happy getting their own portrait painted can contact Zion by email at christine@ourdreamings.com
For Further Media Information Contact : CUBE curator: Deborah Gower 0408120358 Gowerpdr@bigpond.com
And if you wanted to know why I haven’t posted for awhile – during some exciting extreme gardening adventures – I dislocated my shoulder, apart from being unable to butter my toast, put my hair back, I haven’t been able to play with clay. Yes it was the right arm too so typing, writing or any of my usual habits also went by the wayside. Left handed typing of a 2000 word assignment was an incredible feat but I managed to finish it and submit to complete the Writing About Practice subject.
A huge thank you to my son for all his help over the last few weeks when Driving Miss Debby became his not so favourite past time.
And while playing with clay is still awhile away at least I am getting on with some other work that can be done with no lifting, pulling, pushing, carrying etc including checking out what is happening with Mud Colony this week – ohhhhhhhhhhh cant wait come and join me at http://mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/
happy clay days
Deb xxx
Sometimes amazing, Sometimes a culture shock but always a ceramics adventure I have just come home from 22 of the most amazing days and nights in Jingdezhen China – the home of porcelain. http://www.potteryworkshop.org/blog/?p=1033 The Sculpture Factory and the Pottery Workshop is an amazing place filled with Masters specializing in mould making, modelling, glazing and more. In the Education Centre we had lessons on Fencai, Zhisha teapot making, carving, QingBai Blue and White, mould making and so much more.
Zisha Teapot making was an experience – all by hand – no moulds – It takes 3 years to learn to be an expert teapot maker.
Eric, Eva, Summer, Seven, Emily and Lily seemed to make our trip flow with ease and did a great job translating for us. Language barriers disappeared with smiles and lots of pointing and charades with the locals.
Eric Kao http://www.erickaoceramics.blogspot.com.au/ is an amazing host and took us behind the scenes to some of the factories and studios hidden in back alleys and winding through streets around Jingdezhen. With insights and knowledge only someone with the dual heritage of being Chinese but being raised in the United States and having an intricate knowledge of clay and a ceramic artist in his own right, Eric is the perfect host.
Carving on big pots – Amazing
There are too many pictures, too many stories to convey the adventure both ceramic and cultural that I went on – but as we sweep away the firecrackers of celebration of a journey worth travelling I hope each and every one of you gets to experience their own ceramic journey of a lifetime.
and speaking of ceramic journey’s its been 3 weeks since I checked out what everyone else is doing at Mud Colony – why not come with me for a virtual journey into the world of other potters at http://mudcolony.blogspot.com.au/
happy clay days everyone
Debby xxxx
As curator of the art CUBE at Mullumbimby I had the pleasure of installing a new piece by Suvira McDonald Highrise Moonrise. The art CUBE is located in the foyer of the Byron Shire Council Chambers in Mullumbimby.
Multi facetted Suvira McDonald is an award-winning artist who may be found working in the local hinterland forest. His extensive portfolio of work comprises two main threads, Ceramics and Sculpture.
Highrise Moonrise is an exceptional mixed media piece in his collection and represents a whimsical tangent to his landscapes or the functional ceramics more typical of his output. The piece, awarded in this years’ local Byron Art Classic, is a quirky but meaningless reference to the architecture of our neighbours over the border. His sculpture and ceramics have been acquired into many collections, private, public and corporate, in Australia and internationally.
See more: www.suviramcdonald.com
Pictures say so much – Have you seen the latest New Ceramics Magazine. The Europoean Ceramics Mag is a full of interesting ceramics info from around the world. Look at the Feature on the 28th Gold Coast International Art Award 2012 – Great article written by Michaela Kloeckner
Thought I’d also share the Australian Ceramics Association latest competition “For the photographers amongst us … or for a photographer you may know.
Announcing the HANDLE YOUR CERAMICS Photographic Competition
Take a photo of the HANDLE on your latest cup or one of your work being HANDLED … it’s open to your interpretation.
Please share this with your friends and colleagues.
The Prize: publication of your image (full page) in Issue 52/2 of The Journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC) AND books to the value of $200 from our online shop OR 2 years membership of The Australian Ceramics Association. The choice will be yours.
Conditions of Entry: One image per photographer. A selection of the best images will be featured in Issue 52/2 of The Journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC) to be published on 17 July 2013. Image format: 300 dpi jpg file, minimum size 1MB, maximum size 4MB. DO NOT email tiff files. Portrait and landscape formats are acceptable, although portrait images (24.5cm X 17cm suit JAC’s format the best). All photos must be accompanied by the following information: photographers name, potters name, location and date of image. Photos must have been taken in 2013. There should be no digital manipulation of the image. By entering the competition, you give The Australian Ceramics Association license to publish the photograph in The JAC (paper + print) and on our website, www.australianceramics.com. Deadline for images: Monday 13 May 2013 Images can be emailed to: mail@australianceramics.com with the subject heading HANDLE YOUR CERAMICS, or mailed on a disc to HANDLE YOUR CERAMICS, PO Box 274 Waverley NSW 2024
And speaking of great pics – check out this weeks pics on the blogs from Mud Colony
Happy clay days
Debby
deborahgowerceramics 