Dragon Mural.

Yin Yuan Classical Chinese Gardens.
"The staff and students of Latrobe University in Bendigo Australia were asked towards the end of 97 if they would be interested in making a ceramic tiled mural for the local Chinese association. As this was to be a voluntary commission over the summer break at first we were a little unsure but in the end a core group agreed to produce the mural"
Gary Hill.
It's stood the test of time well.
I visited The Golden Dragon Museum last week, mainly to view this mural. Well worth a look. It's interesting to see the slight variation of colour in the tiles. Obviously not done in an electric kiln. I found some areas of reduction. As well as some areas of reduction, I love how the application of glaze varies, obviously a result of having a team of people making it, and the sheer size. So, aside from the traditional story of the Dragon Mural, there’s a wonderful story in each individual tile of this mural. Just wish I could have found a thumb print.

Stephen Dillon.

Stephen Dillon

Justin Novak.

Justin Novak
"21st Century Bunny: Second Generation"
(A Product of "Dyscouncil" in collaboration with Chris Coleman and Michael Salter)

Andrea Walsh.

Andrea Walsh

Chris keenan.

chris keenan

Les blakebrough.

les blakebrough

I’ve been inspired by Emidio Puglielli to try and upload an image a day of a ceramic piece I find interesting. Emidio recently started a blog, and for the past three weeks, has only missed a day.

So, here’s day ones pic.

Geoffrey Swindell.

Geoffrey Swindell.
I had to upload another piece. They make my blog so colorfull.

Ah Xian.

I first saw Ah Xian's work at the entrance to The 2008 Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramic Award. Ah Xian judged the 2008 award, and gave a talk the day after the opening. It was a wonderful insight into the process involved in making his porcelain busts.
I was reminded of Ah Xian when reading an article in Ceramics review about China and the growing number of Western artists utilising China's cheap production runs. Though Ah Xian is taking advantage of China's highly skilled craftsmen to make his pieces.

Bendigo, Central Victoria, Australia.

This is Bendigo, Central Victoria, Australia.
I've lived here for just over 2 years now. An amazing place. A big country town, the biggest town in Australia. But still, only just 100,000 people. Surrounded by forest, and no peak hour traffic. What more can I say.

Geoffrey Swindell.

Work (I could not decide on a superlative good enough) by Geoffrey Swindell.
I first found Geoffrey’s work through his son Tom Swindell’s YouTube clip "EARTHEN - part 1". Of which there are five in the series. I highly recommend you have a look.

St. Kilda.

I went to Melbourne on Thursday. While driving through the city a thunderstorm erupted. Crack! Boom etc. By the time I was in St. Kilda the sun was starting to shine through the clouds. I had to pull over and take some pics.
Today in Bendigo, we had a similar thunderstorm suddenly develop. Now, about an hour later, it's gone. The fun of early spring.

Whipstick forest.

I went for another walk in the forest. I'm addicted now! So, I apologize in advance because I think I'm going to be uploading way too many photos of it! Sorry (Brother)Charlie.

Throwing clay.

Someone took some photos of me throwing some pots a few weeks ago. It's interesting to see photos of yourself in action! Must remember to relax; I looked like I was in pain.

Whipstick Forest.

Well, winter is over. Though yesterday it came back with a vengance, strong wind gusts and horizontal rain. But with springs first attempt last week I bought a compass and bravely set foot off the beaten track and into the wilds of the Whipstick Forest. It’s so rugged, but somehow beautiful. There are some simply breathtaking views, vibrant wild flowers and magnificent/majestic Eucalypts.

Australian Ceramists that inspire me.

Prue Venables

Victor Greenaway

The above vessel was made in Belgium at the Ateliar Cirkel in 2004. Victor calls it "Belgium Blue".

Chris Keenan

Gwyn Hanssen-Pigott

I love the simplicity of these pieces. They look so spontaneous/lively. As someone who has struggled with porcelain, I can tell you throwing porcelain on a wheel is akin to short pastry. It does not like being over worked, so you need to know what you’re doing. And I think it's safe to say these four know what they’re doing.

Garry Bish exhibition.

WOW!
I went to an exhibition at The Bendigo Art Gallery today.
Simply stunning. The shading is made from layering the word "space" over and over. The interior of the vessels have a lovely not quite gloss black. These interiors also have a lovely thrown line, to give just a hint of the makers mark.
The best pieces are not shown here, nor in the lovely catalogue I purchased.
Entry is free, or at most, a donation. The catalogue is a steal too at $5AUD.
I'm going again tomorrow. It's that good.
Well done Mr. Bish.

HEADSPACE: GARRY BISH

23 August - 19 October

Bendigo Art Gallery.

42 View St, Bendigo, VIC. Australia. 3550.

Following words from: http://www.bendigoartgallery.com.au/Page/Page.asp?Page_Id=178&h=0

“This exhibition presents the work of locally based ceramic artist Garry Bish. Bish has recently completed his PhD at RMIT University and the work in this exhibition builds further on the ideas investigated during his doctoral research.In his work Bish shows a strong concern for an investigation of space, he interrogates the space between the painted pictorial image and the object on which it resides, the ‘between’ space. Bish believes the collaboration can promote a third composition, a synergy that inhabits the shadowy space between two and three dimensions – they are not quite one or the other. The artist says of his work: ‘I am preoccupied by the notion of space actual and inferred – the illusory space within the painted image, that enclosed by the vessel wall and the space the object occupies. More recent works develop the concept of space as a commodity, a finite resource, in a lateral mind game’”

Spring.

September 1st, 2008.
Spring is here at last!