Jess Gibson
University of Tasmania
This earthy rock material has been at the heart of human culture, civilisation and development
for thousands of years. When this rocky material often rich in minerals and quartz is mixed with
water its entire composition and structure alters, allowing a malleable material to appear like
magic.
This soft and forgiving material historically has established itself in a domestic setting but too has deep roots in the arts, allowing for creatives to use this material to go beyond necessity.
Artists such as Tasmanian based ceramicist Kelly Austin shows the delicacy of clay. Working in predominantly stoneware, porcelain and often terracotta her wheel-thrown work appears to explore the notion of still life - through form and composition using a variety of surface treatments and firing methods allows the material to speak for itself.
This soft and forgiving material historically has established itself in a domestic setting but too has deep roots in the arts, allowing for creatives to use this material to go beyond necessity.
Artists such as Tasmanian based ceramicist Kelly Austin shows the delicacy of clay. Working in predominantly stoneware, porcelain and often terracotta her wheel-thrown work appears to explore the notion of still life - through form and composition using a variety of surface treatments and firing methods allows the material to speak for itself.