In Clay

In Clay highlights the significance of ceramics within the cultural landscape of the Sutherland Shire and the diversity and evolution of contemporary Australian ceramic practice.

Among the exhibiting artists is Lynda Draper, a teacher at Gymea TAFE Ceramic Design Studio. She has an interest in domestic souvenirs and their psychological associations. Her work, Home Altar, evolved in reply to the evocative nature of a group of souvenirs collected from her childhood home prior to its sale and demolition. The artifacts re-emerged into her life, conjuring ghostlike memories from the past.

Also exhibiting is Claudia Citton, a practising ceramic artist and teacher, who has been involved in ceramics for 12 years. Her work Read Between the Lines attempts to interpret her view of a fragmented and fractured world where humanity and nature are not unified. Claudia is particularly interested in exploring the trajectories between mortality and immortality, creation and destruction.

Aedan Harris, also from Ceramic Design Studio, has always had a fascination with nature and the extraordinary capabilities of animal and plant life. In his work Silent Rhythms he attempts to echo the workings of the natural world - the process of evolution and adaptation, growth and decay, diversity and order, mystique and power. Finishing each piece in red and black, expresses the essential components of living organisms - carbon and blood -which create and sustain life.

Hazelhurst will be running several one day Master Classes in conjunction with the exhibition. Artist Michael Keighery will lead a discussion titled 'Is Ceramics a Viable Option?' on Sunday 11 September. The discussion will be followed by Michael giving a ceramic demo in Hazelhurst's pottery studio. For children Claudia Citton will run a workshop 'Creatures in Clay' on Sunday 18 September. Kids aged 8 - 13yrs get the chance to sculpt and paint a clay creature drawn from their imagination.