“Spring”, porcelain and gold lustre by Johanna De Maine
Ceramic artists start with inspired ideas and a piece of clay and go on to create marvels of diversity. From functional pots and vases to captivating sculptures, ceramic artworks in three dimensions require an understanding of form, texture and colour, as well as a knowledge of chemistry and incredible patience from each artist. During July at Art on Cairncross there will be wonderful examples of the variety of results with a focus on ceramic artworks.
Rowley Drysdale has a penchant for 3 day wood firings (in his hand-built Anagama kiln on his property), to achieve organic and sometimes unexpectedly beautiful pots. But equally, he loves to produce controlled thrown forms, such as his blossom jars with metallic glazes.
Strong, captivating shapes are also recognizable from Johanna De Maine, when the eye is enchanted by her use of lustre glazes, including gold and the exceptional balance in her designs of butterflies, flowers and the Glasshouse Mountains.
Another potter adept at conveying detail, but through negative space, is Ann O’Connor. Using predominantly unglazed porcelain, she carves into the surface or cuts away sections to attract the viewer, while her husband Gerry O’Connor, works in raku, a difficult medium to control, but producing enthralling surfaces and almost abstract shapes.
The same fascination can be found in Yvonne Bouwman’s platters depicting aerial views of the sea and the Australian landscape, while a similar aspect looking at footprints through the sand is achieved in elegant white clay by Carol Foster. Add the colourful luscious ladies by Rika Rouw (guaranteed to raise a smile) and quirky birds and animals by James Peterson, and it is difficult to believe all of these artists come under the one banner of ceramicist!
‘Art on Cairncross’ is open Tuesday to Sunday at Cairncross Corner, from 10 am to 5 pm and for those unable to visit most works can be viewed at www.artoncairncross.com.au
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