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Domestic Renewal


I have been lucky to work with my great friend and sometimes co-collaborator, Mel Robson on a really interesting project curated by Rohan Nicol called Domestic Renewal. We're among 17 artists who have each contributed items to create a single table setting and were encouraged to incorporate existing materials or objects into our work. 

"Works in this exhibition demonstrate how creative professionals are capable of challenging the way that everyday objects are understood.  The works suggest answers to complex problem sets like overuse of materials, resources and energy in our lives....Subsequently, the works represent a blueprint or prototype for how we can improve the way in which domestic or urban environments are planned and perceived."

Mel and I developed our concept together over Skype, then I did my part in my studio in Brisbane and sent the work on via Aussie Post for Mel to work her magic on in Alice Springs. This is the result! 

 Domestic Renwal is currently showing at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre until 15 December. 



 
Source: Australian Art Collector Issue 62, October - December 2012



Small works in Canberra

  

It's an exciting time of the year!  Beaver Galleries in Canberra has just opened a show featuring almost 40 artists (including me!) in a small works exhibition.  There are some beautiful ceramics, glass, painting, prints and sculpture on show so if you're in Canberra, please drop by or check out a preview of the work on their website. 

Show in Canberra!

My work is currently showing in a group exhibition at Beaver Galleries in Canberra called "Crossed Paths". The show features works by three ceramic artists - Mel Robson, Vipoo Srivilasa and me! The image above is of a piece of my work from the exhibition called "Kagerou". If you are around please swing by and take a look!

Upcoming show!

I'm going to be part of a group show called "Enlightenment" at Andrew Baker Gallery in Brisbane opening this week. Other artists featured in the show are Ian Friend and Dennis Nona as well as "The Unusual Suspects". 

So if you're around some time from 7-24 December, please pop in and take a look! The opening is from noon, Saturday 10 December 2011.

Hi everyone, there is a lot of heartbreaking news from Japan at the moment, but thankfully, my immediate family and friends are all okay. After days staring at the news online in disbelief, my wife Sonia and I decided we really wanted to do something to try to help. So with the help of some very talented and generous artists, we have created i heART japan - an online charity art auction! Please check out the work donated by more than 20 amazing artists on our Facebook Gallery and "like" our page so you can stay up-to-date when the auction goes live on eBay on Friday 8 April at 3pm. It finishes at 8pm on Sunday 10 April so happy shopping for beautiful work for a great cause - Red Cross Japan and Pacific Appeal 2011.

Cover story

I have some exciting news! My public artwork is featured on the cover of the November issue of "The Journal Of Australian Ceramics"! (400 George St project on the front and Ipswich Courthouse project on the back). And inside there is an article on my work written by Louise Martin-Chew. These were major projects for me during 2008 and 2009 so it's really exciting to see them recognised in print in an issue that focusses on architectural ceramics. Creating work for public spaces has been a new experience for me and it was exciting and a privilege to work with the architects and construction companies to develop my work to be part of these beautiful new buildings.
400 George photos: Florian Groehn

Team of four!

Since I posted hello 2010, it's almost time to say goodbye 2010! But before that happens, I wanted to post something. I have been busy busy because we added a new member to our family in August - another cute little boy! I've also been busy making small pieces for the lovely places around Australia that sell my work in the lead up to Christmas. I'm looking forward to having a very productive end to the year that continues on into 2011!

Hello 2010!!

Oops! It's already 2010. I have been busy entertaining my little boy but I also had to finish my public art projects for a new building in the Brisbane CBD called 400 George (image above) and the new Ipswich Courthouse (images below).
I took these images before the glass was fitted, but now everything is behind the glass and it's kind of mysterious. If you go to Ipswich please visit the courthouse. You'll find a lot of beautiful work including some by Lincoln Austin and Gwen Hanson Piggott among others.
I hope you have a very Happy New Year!

Sydney Solo Show!!

I'm totally obsessed with slab building! I'm enjoying discovering new methods by accident or from experience. And when I fire my pieces, they may change (bend slump and brake) quite often, but that is also part of the fun!! It's an almost never ending exploding tour!! I've been trying to make objects that wander between organic and geometric or industrial styles. These images are a little example of the results of my recent efforts that will be part of my exhibition at Helen Stephens Gallery in Sydney from 15 July until 12 August. Right next door is All Hand Made Gallery and during the same period, it will feature Keiko Mastui's work, so please check it out if you're in Sydney!!

Pourers!

Recently I made new work, "Rain Series", for an upcoming show called "Pourers" at Object Gallery in Sydney during the Ceramic Triennale. I drew some little buildings and trees with rain - each one is different. So if you're interested in rain, maybe you can find one you love! And you might even see a little person or two hanging around this show! It runs from 11-28 July.

Group Shows!!

At the moment there are two exhibitions that I'm in! One is called "White Heat" which is one part of the Australian Ceramic Triennale, it's on at Manly Art Gallery in Sydney. My good friends Mel Robson, Pru Morrison and Virginia Jones are also in that show so please check it out!!
And the other one is a group exhibition at Andrew Baker's Gallery in Brisbane called "Spectral Bequest". There are three artists in the show: Pamela See, Deborah Walker and me! Opening drinks are on Friday the 19th June from 6-8pm and the show runs until 4 July. If you are around in Brisbane, please stop by!

Little-Uns

Recently I made some tiny little pieces for the exhibition call "Little - Uns" at a gallery called Pomme in Mornington, Victoria.  Mel Robson and Shannon Garson are also in that show. If you are a Mornington local or are planning to go there, please drop by!
It's on from the 4th until the 24th of April.

Square-arama!

Looooooooong time no write!!!  I've had quite an interesting busy time since I came back from Japan. I think it was pay back because I had such a beautiful and wonderful time in Japan. ha ha! Anyway, I just wanted to show you a preview of the work that I've been making recently....square-arama!!
 
 

Time flies!

Time flies! At this time of year that word often dominates my conversations! And it often makes me nervous because I realise how quickly the year has gone. But I've got an exciting plan for the end of the year. Yes, I've got a ticket to Japan! I haven't been to Japan at New Years for a long time and I was missing it! And even more exciting is that we are taking our son to Japan and he will meet his Japanese Grandparents and great Grandma for the first time. I think he will be a very special New Years delivery!! 
And check out what the Little People have been up to...!

Coffee Time

Recently I went to GoMA & QAG With Mel and Ginny (link from Mel's blog) and had lovely coffee time at the outdoor cafe at the gallery. We didn't have enough time to look at the whole gallery but Mel wanted to show us some interesting work at GoMA - the image above is of one of them - it was indescribably strange!!
The people in the image are singing Michael Jackson's songs from Thriller at same time, but you can only hear their voices - no music - and they are all kind of sweaty and serious. I don't want to say too much about this work but if you go there, please check it out! I had fun!

Catching up

Recently I've been making some objects and functional work to catch up on a bit of a break.  Almost 2 years ago I had a great six weeks in the ANU (The Australian national University) as a resident artist. I created some objects like those in the images, but I didn't have a chance to show the work in Australia. But now I'm working on a project and am making objects that developed from the work that I made at the ANU. When I'm finished, I'll show you the completed version!

Oh baby!

My blog has been very slow lately - but that's not to say I've been lazy - I just had a lot of preparation for the new addition to our family.  On 21 July our little boy called Yuki came into our world. It has been so lovely and a little bit tiring! But we're getting used to our new life, and I'm now starting to get back to work! More on that soon.... 

Formargruppen Cup Show

Looooong  time no write!
There's something interesting happening at a gallery called Formargruppen in Sweden now until 28 August. It's a functional cup exhibition and there are some great artists involved including Mel Robson, Virginia Jones and Karin Eriksson to name just a few.
If  you are in Sweden I think you should check it out!
You might also find my work there too! 

Back from Japan!

Long time no write. Finally I finished tidying up my photos from Japan. I always take so many photos when I go on a trip - even when I go to my own country I become a tourist. These photos are from my exhibition - I'm very happy with the display! It's very white though. I met a few friends in Tokyo and some of my friend helped me prepare the exhibition - thanks a lot to my friends!!! And I met great friends from Brisbane including Kylie and we spent a lovely time in the afternoon around Aoyama and had a fantastic dinner! Thanks for coming to my exhibition!