Industrial ceramics – Object Factory

by | May 14, 2009 | Uncategorized



If you know my functional work then you’ll know that I’m really interested in the relationship between the handmade and industrial ceramics. I try with my work to bridge the “gap” that exists, in our relationship to, interaction with and the design possibilities of both the handmade and the industrial.

So I’m super excited to see a show such as Object Factory: The Art of Industrial Ceramics (currently at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York) online with lots of yummy pictures to inspire. There’s an amazing list of artist/designers in the show, too many to name, but it was curated by Mark Cecula so you know it’ll be good. So take some time, grab a cup of tea and check it out here.

Artist Talk – Canberra

by | May 12, 2009 | Uncategorized

School of Art Lecture Theatre, ANU canberra
(First floor above main foyer, Childers Street entrance)

Free Public Lectures

Thursday 14 May, 1 – 2 pm
Geoff Crispin: Towards Sustainability ? letting go and the development of ownership

Geoff Crispin is a ceramicist who has spent a number of years working on development programs with indigenous artist groups within Australia and around the world. Geoff is a Visiting Artist in the Ceramics Workshop.

Art Forum is held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1pm to 2pm unless otherwise noted.
Program details for the lectures are subject to change.

T: (02) 6125 5810

www.soa.anu.edu.au/exhibitions-and-events/public-talks
Artforum is supported by the ACT Government

by | May 11, 2009 | Uncategorized


Did you know that Craft Australia has recently redeveloped their website? Time to update your links folks. Their new address is http://www.craftaustralia.org.au
And if you didn’t know Craft Australia produces 716 craft·design, a free online news is emailed to subscribers every month. It presents information and news relating to the contemporary craft and design sector from a national perspective. Distribution within the sector is encouraged and new readers can subscribe at no charge. http://www.craftaustralia.org.au/subscribe/

Gas Kiln for sale

by | Apr 30, 2009 | Uncategorized

Geil DL12F Kiln for Sale

-12 cubic feet of stacking space (stacking area is 36″ high x 24″ x 24″)
-Fiber lined – very economical to fire because of low thermal mass – uses 17 cubic feet of natural gas to fire to cone 10 (about $20 at current rates)
-Will run on propane or natural gas
-Has pressure regulator to adjust gas pressure throughout firing for fine control
-Very compact (kiln is 43″ wide by 50″ deep) – burners are underneath kiln and the integral chimney is at the back of the kiln
-Permanent door mounted on hinges – no need to brick up a door each firing
-Thermocouple and pyrometer
-Collection hood and chimney included – the integral chimney ends at the top of the kiln and vents into the collection hood, then through the hood chimney to exit the building
-18 kiln shelves and many kiln posts included, all in good shape
– Kiln is in Saskatoon, SK

Asking price is $4,000
For more information:
Zane Wilcox (306)653-2656
[email protected]

Artist of the Day: Paula Cooley

by | Apr 30, 2009 | Uncategorized

Well it’s sad to say, but today is the last day of April and thus artist of the day month is over…sigh. It was fun while it lasted right?

I really want to take a minute to thank each and every artist that participated and shared their amazing talents and work with us. I feel like it’s been a month full of insight into so many unique approaches to subject matter, process and perspectives on contemporary craft theory and production. I think this is definitely something I’m going to have to bring back in the future…

So last but not least I leave you will today’s artist of the day: Paula Cooley, who is a fantastic artist I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with recently for our Subverted Utility exhibition in Red Deer. I think i’m often drawn to her work because it incorporates so much aesthetically and formally that my work doesn’t. Not that one aesthetic is better than the other, i’m just really compelled by a visual language or vocabulary that is distant from my own. It sparks my curiousity and wonder. There is alot of play and personality in Paula’s work, I do hope you enjoy it as much as I do.


In Paula’s words: “Initially I was interested in functional pottery but over time I have become increasingly intrigued by sculptural vessels. For me, the way a vessel shapes space now takes precedence over its function. The suggestion of movement and growth is key to my current ceramic work: I want my pieces to look as if they might dance or grow.

Some of my vessels are built as mated or interdependent pieces, and placed to create negative spaces as evocative as their positive forms. Like the space inside a vessel, the surrounding “empty”space can be manipulated to become a dynamic, and necessary part of the work, a means of transforming two or more separate objects into a single work of art.

I work with many types of clay (earthenware, porcelain, stoneware), matching the clay to the surface I wish to achieve. Through their long history the ceramic arts have evolved a tremendous range of decoration and firing techniques, each geared to achieve a specific result. Some pieces I choose to fire in a low temperature raku kiln while others are fired in high temperature atmospheric kilns (salt and/or wood.)Some of my pieces have no glaze: their surface decoration is a result of smoke and burning combustibles. Other works have both glaze and paint on their surfaces.My vessels are wheel thrown or hand built, and many are altered by removing or adding clay. These alterations help me to capture the fluidity of life–a sprouting plant, a moving body. My pieces are organic in appearance, reflecting the natural world that is the ultimate maker of vessels: seeds, bulbs, shells, bodies. “

Thanks again everyone for making April so beautiful to look at here at musing!