The Department of Tourism and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre proudly presents Clay Stories: Contemporary Indigenous Ceramics from Remote Australia.
Clay Stories is a significant survey exhibition of contemporary ceramics by highly established and emerging Indigenous artists from remote parts of Australia.
“We are thrilled to open the 2018 Araluen Arts Centre Visual Arts program with this exciting, national touring exhibition,” Director of the Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees said.
“Clay Stories features innovative ceramic artworks by 22 artists, from Ernabella Arts in the APY Lands, Erub Arts in the Torres Strait, Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre in Far North Queensland, Hermannsburg Potters in the Central Desert and Tiwi Design on Bathurst Island.”
The exhibition presents pieces that are both sculptural and vessel-based, with each body of work representative of the artist’s connection to Country and providing a powerful medium for their storytelling.
“Ceramic works by artists from Hermannsburg Potters and Ernabella Arts are frequently exhibited at Araluen, especially during our annual Desert Mob exhibition. Clay Stories provides an opportunity to view these works in a broader context of contemporary Indigenous ceramics from throughout remote Australia,” Dr Crees said.
“The exhibition facilitates a powerful narrative between artists from these isolated communities and Araluen’s local, national and international visitors."
Clay Stories was developed by Sabbia Gallery, Sydney, in conjunction with the Remote Communities Ceramic Network (RCCN).
Clay Stories will be officially opened by artist Tony Albert, one of Australia’s most renowned contemporary artists, on Friday 2 March at 6.00pm.
A floor talk on Saturday 3 March at 10.15am will be facilitated by Tony Albert in conversation with the project developer and curator, Anna Grigson of Sabbia Gallery, along with attending artists from Hermannsburg Potters and Ernabella Arts.
Following the gallery floor talk, artists of Hermannsburg Potters and Ernabella Arts will present a free ceramics demonstrations from 11.30am at Central Craft, next door to the Araluen Arts Centre.
Clay Stories runs until April 8.
Clay Stories visits the Araluen Arts Centre as part of a national tour, showcasing remote Indigenous artists from the Territory and beyond to New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and the ACT, details of which are available at http://www.claystories.com.au/touring-venues.html.
Media interview
Araluen Cultural Precinct Director, Dr Mark Crees
08 8951 1126
