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Solace Works, 2008.

Rex Irwin Art Dealer, Sydney. 5 February – March 1, 2008. Solo exhibition.

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An assemblage of five works formed the series Solastalgia is a new word, I hear (2008), a wall and floor installation, which travelled on to Dubbo for the exhibition, Australian Ceramic Stories. The exhibition was a national group curation by Dr Julia Jones for the Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo, Australia, 5 April – 18 May 2008. 

From the Curator and Dubbo Regional Art Gallery:

THE EXHIBITION 
Australian Ceramic Stories (ACS) explores the use of narrative in contemporary Australian ceramics. Surveying the work of artists from across the country, the exhibition will include many new works by some of Australia’s most highly regarded ceramic artists. Dubbo Regional Gallery – The Armati Bequest is staging the exhibition from 5 April – 18 May 2008 at Western Plains Cultural Centre. Curated by Dr Julia Jones, the exhibition brings together the work of artists from all parts of Australia, offering a unique view of contemporary ceramic practice.

The curatorial concept is inspired by international ceramicist Matthias Ostermann’s research which resulted in the book The Ceramic Narrative in 2006. The exhibition will explore how “stories” are told in Australian ceramics, highlighting the various ways that clay is used to express them. All of the ceramicists tell stories about Australia in ways that stretch the narrative capabilities of clay, and draw our attention to the versatility of the medium. The exhibition will seek to engage with contemporary themes and ideas in the broader visual arts and ceramic practices and examine the various ways in which narrative is a crucial element in their work.

THE FORUM 
To coincide with the exhibition, a 1-day Forum will be held on Saturday 12 April 2008 which will further explore the theme and extend dialogue from two previous Ceramic conferences – verge in Brisbane in 2006 and ClayEdge at Gulgong in 2007. The keynote speaker at this event will be Canadian Ceramic Artist & Writer, Matthias Ostermann. Further speakers at the Australian Ceramic Stories Forum are as follows: Dr Janet Mansfield OAM, Ceramic Artist & Publisher, President International Academy of Ceramics (Geneva), Megan Martin, Curator and Head Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection Historic Houses Trust of NSW, Janet DeBoos, Ceramic Artist & Head of Ceramics Workshop, ANU together with ACS exhibiting artists Vipoo Srivilasa, Louise Boscacci, Gerry Wedd, and Gudrun Klix, Research Fellow, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Ceramics, University of Sydney.

The Official Opening will be held on Friday 11 April and a Curator’s Talk with exhibiting artists will be held on Sunday 13 April.”

Participating artists:

STEPHEN BENWELL 
LOUISE BOSCACCI
KRIS COAD 
PATRICK COLLINS 
BERN EMMERICHS 
GUDRUN KLIX 
PIP McMANUS
MEL ROBSON 
FLEUR SCHELL
VIPOO SRIVILASA 
THANAKUPI 
GERRY WEDD

Australian Ceramic Stories: Brigette Leece, Manager Western Plains Cultural Centre and Exhibition Curator Dr Julia Jones, Australia.