Christine Murphy

Christine Murphy

CREATIVE PRACTICE

I make hand built and wheel thrown ceramics. With a focus mainly on unglazed surfaces, predominantly smokefired finishes. Smoke firing is a process whereby bisque fired ceramics are coloured and marked by smoke rather than glaze. It is ancient technique used by many cultures around the world. These pieces are coloured by locally sourced sawdust: Cedar, Merbau and New Guinea Rosewood with a wide range of organic materials foraged and repurposed like egg shells, coffee grounds, corn husks and seaweed. Every piece is uniquely patterned and marked by the process and the elemental conditions at the time of the firing. This is a slow fired process that can take up to three days to burn out. Each piece is sealed in Liquid Quartz. This special sealer allows the ceramic pieces to maintain the natural ‘naked’ state whilst creating functional stain resistant and food safe tableware.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My ceramic practice is primarily seasonal with the emphasis on raw clay surfaces and finishes. Through the cooler half of the year I focus on the practice of primitive firing techniques. During the warmer months the work is centred on exploring different clay

BIO

December 2015 - '“The Craft Shed Collective” - Weswal Gallery, Tamworth NSW, Australia

December 2017 - “Same but Different” - Weswal Gallery, Tamworth NSW, Australia

July 2019 - “Friends of the Regional Gallery” - Tamworth Regional Gallery NSW, Australia

December 2019 - “The Response” - Weswal Gallery NSW, Australia

November 2020 - Winter Show - Thrown Contemporary, London UK

CONTACT

info@imagenationceramicart.com

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Kylie Heidrich

Kylie Heidrich

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Kylie of Peakvue Studio creates handbuilt, functional and decorative ceramic wares that reflect simple country life.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Kylie's practice combines the traditional techniques of slab building, pinching and coiling to create beautiful ceramic wares. Hand building, as opposed to wheel throwing, really allows the 'hand of the maker' to shine through in each finished item. Every piece is slightly different. Highly influenced by her surrounds and rural community, Kylie's ceramics feature botanical prints, delicate patterns, textured carvings and simple phrases to remind us to slow down and take notice. She utilises gentle, neutral tones in stoneware clay and food safe glazes.

BIO

I have always been a maker. I've intuitively sought new creative interests since a young age. I'll readily have a go at anything to build new skills and satisfy my curiosity. I then reflect, edit, adapt and combine ideas to share my own voice. Self taught artist. 1st Prize- Abstract Tenterfield Show 2019. 1st and 2nd Prize- Figurative Tenterfield Show 2020. 1st Prize- 3D Artwork Tenterfield Show 2020. 1st Prize- 3D Artwork Tenterfield Show 2021. Hanger Prize Tenterfield Show 2021. 3rd Prize Australiana Prize ASC Tenterfield 2021.

CONTACT

info@peakvuestudio.com or use the form below.

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Anna Henderson

Anna Henderson

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Mixed media and ceramics.
Mixed media, semi abstract landscapes & ceramics.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I live in a quiet, isolated part of the New England Tablelands. I am surrounded by a landscape that is forever changing. My work is therefore forever changing. My mixed media work is semi-abstract and abstract. It sometimes deals with the extremely complex relationship between humans and the land and our environment. We are in awe of it, we destroy it, we idealise it, we alter it, we buy and sell it, we use its resources, and we create new environments. My paintings are silent and lonely, the many layers of paint creating a history and strength to these portraits of the land.

BIO

2018 “Artist’s Story” An exhibition of paintings and ceramics. Weswal Gallery, Tamworth. NSW.

2016 “Crash Pads” spirituality, relationships, spiritual practice, architecture, Gallery 126, Armidale NSW.

2015 “Caravan” Paintings and Ceramics, Haydon Hall, Murrurundi

2014 “Interconnect” Paintings and Ceramics, New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale.

2013 “22 Journeys” Paintings and Ceramics, Gallery 126, Armidale

2012 “Changing Moods” Paintings and Ceramics, Haydon Hall, Murrurundi

2011 “Still” Ceramics and Paintings, New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale

GROUP EXHIBITIONS....more recent

2021 New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale NSW. New England Landscapes

2020 Christmas Exhibition, Gallery 126, Armidale. NSW

2018 Ceramics and Paintings. Gallery 126, Armidale. NSW

2017 Parallax Art Fair, London UK

2017 Christmas Exhibition, Gallery 126, Armidale.

AWARDS

2021 Armidale Art Prize, Armidale Art Gallery, Armidale NSW Sculpture Section 1st Prize

2019 Armidale Art Prize, Armidale NSW – Painting Section - 1st Prize.

2018 Pro Hart Art Prize, Broken Hill - Finalist

2018 The Armidale Art Prize, Painting Section – First Prize

2017 The Armidale Art Prize, Sculpture Section – First Prize.

2015 Frost over Barraba, Packing Room Prize, Ceramics, Highly Commended Sculpture, Highly Commended

Pro art Art Prize, Broken Hill - Finalist

Muswellbrook Art Prize Finalist

2014 Norvill Art Prize – Winner. Murrurundi NSW

Norvill Art Prize - Finalist

Frost over Barraba – Winner - Open Art Section.

Frost over Barraba – Winner – Hand built Pottery

2013 Artavita 4th Contest (On line 759 entries) Santa Barbara CA Honorable Mention

Calleen Art Award, Cowra NSW – selected finalist

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CONTACT

(02) 6779 7534
annaghenderson@gmail.com

Rosalie Rigby

Rosalie Rigby

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Visual Arts

I am a visual artist working as a painter. I also work with printmaking and ceramics.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My current work is abstract painting. These are non-objective, relating more to concepts than subjects in the world. I use geometric forms and linear elements. My work is process based. The work is the work. In terms of technique, I use paint on canvas or board. I am interested in layering and eliciting an ambiguity in reading the painting. My current work started with reflections from a trip to Ireland. There I was fascinated by the archaeology and more “modern” history as shown by remaining structures and images / written languages. I looked at the burial mounds, round forts and burial chambers. From this came reflections on the past as still being in the present and the strength of people’s belief systems. Layering became a device to reflect this.

BIO

Solo exhibitions

2021 Tamworth Regional Gallery, Tamworth

2019 Weswal Gallery, Tamworth

2017 Gallery 126, Armidale

2016 New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale

2009 Doggett Street Gallery, Brisbane

2009 Dubbo Regional Gallery, Dubbo

2007 Doggett Street Gallery, Brisbane

2001 New England Regional Art Museum, Armidale

1998 Focus Gallery, Tamworth

Two-person & three-person exhibitions

2015 Walcha Gallery of Art, Walcha

2014 Walcha Gallery of Art, Walcha

2012 Walcha Gallery of Art, Walcha

2009 GIG Gallery, Sydney

2006 Moree Gallery, Moree

2006 GIG Gallery, Sydney

2001 Moree Plains Regional Gallery, Moree

2000 Weswal Gallery, Tamworth

1996 New England Regional Art Gallery, Armidale

Group exhibitions

2019 Gallery 126, Armidale

2019 Gallery 126, Armidale

CONTACT

0427 608 332
rosrigby@gmail.com

Michael Evans

Michael Evans

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Crafts, Visual Arts

Michael is a ceramic artist making wash basins, bowls, dishes, water features, vases and mugs. He specializes in crystalline glazes. He also holds classes for pottery students at Chaucer on Bridge Street gallery in Uralla.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Michael Evans is a ceramic artist with a passion for crystalline glazes which began when he lived near John Payne, a renowned thrower, in Robertson in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.  With some advice from Evan Davis on firing cycles, and the refinement of glaze formulation, both Michael and John have achieved some spectacular results. Michael moved to Invergowrie in 2015 and has developed his studio at the family gallery, Chaucer on Bridge Street, in Uralla where his ceramic pieces are displayed and sold. He conducts popular pottery classes on Saturdays. He currently fires with electric kilns but has been building a gas kiln and has plans for a wood fired kiln as well.

BIO

Michael Evans grew up and was educated in Armidale. He became interested in ceramics while attending Duval High School. His interest developed further when he took a college night class under Mark Loving in Texas USA, where he had gone on a tennis scholarship.

Michael returned to Armidale to complete a B.A. Dip Ed. at the University of New England. He began his teaching career at Airds High School in Western Sydney and later was Head Teacher of the History Faculty at Kiera High School in Wollongong for a number of years.

While teaching he was also able to study with Cameron Williams at the National Art School in Sydney. With assistance from Neil Boughton, he became enthusiastic about the Raku process. With a Raku urn, he won the 2001 Open Ceramics Section at the Fisher’s Ghost Festival in Campbelltown. He has participated in a number of joint exhibitions at Chaucer on Bridge Street Gallery. In 2015 he returned to Armidale and is currently teaching at Guyra Central School. Michael and his wife Farzana, have one daughter.

CONTACT

0410 101 266
mevans29702@hotmail.com
www.evansgalleryuralla.com

Brigitte Brummell

Brigitte Brummell

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Pottery and ceramics

ARTIST STATEMENT

For as long as I can remember I have craved and explored creative outlets in many forms and mediums. My most recent love affair and favourite so far is with pottery. I love the process of creating pieces for the home and garden that can be practical or purely decorative. I love how raw and organic pottery is in every aspect, from beginning to end. I love how deeply satisfying it is to share the creative practice and the finished pieces with others. Late nights at pottery have become a regular part of my life now and have allowed me to play, learn and truly enjoy the time I have with my hands in the clay..

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CONTACT

brig.spencer@hotmail.com
0431 056 177

Abigail Sparks

Abigail Sparks

CREATIVE PRACTICE

I am an art educator and artist with an interest in community art projects, particularly ceramics.

My creative practice is based on my work as a visual art teacher where I facilitate student creativity and projects in a range of art forms. Collaboration with community groups and project work based around well-being and creativity with purpose is my passion. My work as a ceramic artist is developing around exploring sculptural hand-built forms as well as domestic ware and thrown forms.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My formal art study began at Sydney University where I studied Fine Arts in the early 1990’s. My Grad Dip in Visual Arts Education and a TAFE certificate IV in Ceramics came after that. My fascination for art history and the art world has been stimulated through travel and hundreds of professional development events in visual arts teaching. My own practice has been facilitating my many exceptional students to high level of achievement in their HSC work. My roles include president of the Glen Innes Pottery Club, Co-ordinator of Fringe Trash Art Festival, Curator of the annual Art Impress! Art Exhibition. Community arts projects include “Precious Flora”, Wytaliba creative recovery project, Naidoc “Because of Her We Can” Project, Art in the Heart Ceramic Mural amongst many others. Recent exhibitions and prizes include “Claytime” Ceramics Exhibition and the NSW Teachers Federation Teachers Art Prize.

CONTACT

sparkyabs@hotmail.com
0447 269 274

Allana Price

Allana Price

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Ceramic creator

My nan has been a potter for many years, and I’ve always been interested in trying it, so when I saw a course running, I decided to give it a go. I am in the process of experimenting with different techniques and forms to find me niche. I have found an interest in the ancient form of pit firing, which give each piece a unique finish. The idea of different natural waste can give certain colours and textures to a piece excites me. I love being outdoors and a part of the nature, Pottery is an extension of nature and getting to work with clay brings an enormous satisfaction into my life. Clay is a versatile medium that allows me an endless possibility from of creation. Not only do I do pottery for the enjoyment I do it for the peace it brings me, with the busy life I live it is my own space to explore and enjoy, and if my pieces bring joy to others, it is a bonus.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Allana has found an enjoyment creating hand-built work, from sculptures, ornaments, to coil or slab-built vessels. She takes inspiration from her surroundings. Even though she has only been creating for a short time, she won grand champion at her local show for her work, sold 8 pieces at a local exhibition, won people choice in a local pop-up window exhibition, had 3 commission jobs and sold over 60 pieces locally. Allana Price is a very busy mother of 3 young children and runs 2 business on her family property near Emmaville. She was brought up on a property and loves the feeling she gets from being out in the bush. She fell deeply in love with ceramics after taking a 6 week course, she now has been creating just shy of 2 years. She has only completed an additional 6-week course within this time. Allana collects pieces from nature and takes photos to use as a creative stimulus. She creates her pieces at the local pottery club, which she is co treasurer of with her friend and fellow creator Brigette. They are always looking at opportunities to expand or knowledge and try new techniques, with hope to create an online side business as well as creating commission pieces for the community.

BIO

Grand Champion - Glen Innes Show

Group exhibition “Clay Time”
Glen Innes Art Gallery Incorporated.

Bake Hose Workshop Facilitator- creating domestic ware for the Wytaliba community which was devastated by the bushfire.

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CONTACT

0428 774 101

Marianne La Cour

Marianne La Cour

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Ceramicist and Painter

I create abstract landscape paintings and rustic Nordic inspired ceramics. Living in a rural community it’s hard not to be inspired by the nature around you. I also draw inspiration from my country of birth – Denmark. My practice is about place - a sense of place, a connection to place and the feeling of belonging to a place. It can be a psychical place, a place of dreams or a place in my heart. I love colours and I create colour combinations as reference to places and days. As a painter, I work by mark making, using movement and form and by layering of colour. I quite often incorporate texture into my paintings, and often paint a canvas over and over again. My ceramics are mainly home wares made from rustic speckled clay using a white glaze. The use of white is another reference to my Nordic heritage. It’s all hand formed, made with attention to detail and intentional imperfections. This gives the wares a gorgeous rustic and organic feel. Through my art I unite artistic impressions from two continents and cultures, which over time has fused and become my own unique style.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I grew up in Denmark spending most of my childhood holidays either on my grandparent’s farm or in the lovely town of Menton on the Mediterranean south coast of France. I migrated to Australia in my thirties to pursue a lifelong dream of living a creative life in relaxing and tranquil (or as we Danes would say ‘hyggelige’ ) surroundings.I star ted working with clay as a teenager and for many years ceramics were my only focus. I have always painted and can’t really say when it became more serious, but I participated in my first group exhibition in the late 90’ties and had my first solo exhibition of paintings in 2007. Alongside my ambition to create, I have owned and managed a café, a small art gallery, an art supply retail store, an art & craft shop and now an online art business. In 2017 I started teaching watercolour painting through local workshops, something I really enjoy doing. Most of my training has been through TAFE and by participating in workshops run by other artists. I have exhibited in group exhibitions since 1999 and held solo exhibitions since 2007. These days the internet has taken on the role of galleries, and I mainly show and sell through my own website or online galleries.

CONTACT

coloursongrey@bigpond.com
0427 325 582

Anita Stewart

ANITA STEWART

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Ceramicist and Potter

Clay is my primary artform. I have been moulding clay into pieces of art, functionality, & beauty for decades. My inspiration is far reaching, from my lineage of Romany Gypsies & English, and a teenager migrant arriving in Australia, discover a whole new world of landscape and people - the human face, all account for my creative practice. I take inspiration from contemporary culture & Expressionist painter like Mark Chagall. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge.

ARTIST STATEMENT

My upbringing, Romany Gypsy/English parents, a teenage migrant, and a young adult choosing the alternate life style of my father's ancestries, best describes my artistic life. The feeling of coming from a 'subculture within society', always the feeling of being on the fringe, constantly shows in the eccentric nature of my work. From a very young age I have been motivated by the need to create. I am inspired how I can express myself through art. I create to soothe my soul, to bring joy into other people's lives, and send my children out into the world. Discovering the medium of clay for the first time was like a duck discovering water. I've been working with this medium for over 20 years and I am still discovering new ways of expressing myself with the beautiful tactile medium. I love moulding clay into teapots, my English up bring, no doubt, bringing this art form of beauty and practicality to the community. For years with drawing and design, I could actually transfer my creative expression into 3D, putting the images on surfaces that people could use their everyday lives. I am always the student and the Clay is my master.

BIO

Fine Arts Fremantle Technical College 1982
Cert 4 Glen Innes TAFE

Awards
2006 Glebe Book Award at the
Sydney teapot show

2009 Koala Tea Award

Inverell Art Gallery Acquisition Award Prize

1996 The Them Roma Cultural Arts Festival in Lanciano Italy 1st prize for 2D arts works.

Solo Exhibition
2006 Many little teapots at Armidale Art Gallery

Group Exhibitions
Glen Innes Art Gallery Women of Colour

Art on the Corner exhibition

Sister city of Mosman Art Exchange

Crossing New England at NERAM

CONTACT

nitadot7@yahoo.com.au
0421 902 759

Karrin Thurston

Karrin Thurston

CREATIVE PRACTICE

artist, muralist, potter and poet

ARTIST STATEMENT

I am an artist, muralist, potter, poet and gardener. I use many different media – raffia, natural fibres/textiles in my weaving; acrylics, ink, watercolour and sand in my painting, and earthenware clay in my potting. Art is the expression of my soul and speaks to my relationship to the land, to the earth, to Country, and all that is creation.

I look to Nature for my inspiration and want to promote sustainability and the importance of the environment. I put so much of myself into whatever I am making that it never turns out the same as the mood and inspiration changes with my spirit, just as the seasons and nature evolve every day.

When in Lightning Ridge I was very fortunate to have had Aunty Rose and Aunty June to guide my art development. They helped me to reconnect to our Land and my stories through my art. I was born off Country and had never been given a totem, Aunty Rose gave me hers. I am Dhulii the sand goanna.

ARTIST BIO

Karrin Thurston is a proud Kamilaroi woman and lives in Upper Horton NSW. Interested in art from an early age, she has completed Certificates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts and Culture, and in Tourism at TAFE. She was the Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer for Outback Arts at Lightning Ridge for six years, and also art coordinator for Murdipaaki Regional Enterprise CDEP.

Karrin works in many media – weaving, pottery and painting. She is an artist, muralist, potter and poet. She is heavily influenced by nature and by Country. Her work is spontaneous, the expression of her soul and communicates her relationship and bond to the land and to the earth. It speaks to sustainability and to environmental issues.

She has exhibited widely in both solo and group shows, including Inverell Art Gallery, Gosford Art Gallery and Queen Street Woollahra. She has mural commissions in Mendooran, Cowra, Walgett, Collarenebri and Lightning Ridge. Karrin was invited and attended the worldwide mural conference in Chemainus BC in 1998. She designed the Warrambool Dreaming Weavings which were part of the String Theory Exhibition at the MCA in 2013.

Karin is the President of the Barraba Potters and Craft Guild which runs the Fuller Gallery and Claypan. Her Thorungulla studio is nestled in the Nandawar Ranges near Blue Nobby mountain.

RECOGNITION

EDUCATION/TRAINING
2008 - Completed Certs 1,2,3 of Aboriginal and Torres-straight Islander Art and Culture
2010 - Completed NSI TAFE Cert 1 in Aboriginal Tourism and Aboriginal Tour Guide with National Parks and Wildlife NSW
2013 - Completed TAE cert 4

MURALS/COMMISSIONS
1995 to 2005 – Painted murals throughout Castlereagh Country Stores – Mendooran
2000 – Painted two murals on the Royal Hotel Mendooran
2001 – Painted history of tennis on Tennis court – Mendooran
2001 – Coordinated the painting history of Sport in Cowra on Cowra Water treatment works (105m)
2007- Coordinated – Murals Outwest – murals in Walgett, Collarenebri and Lightning ridge
2010 –Painted 18m history of lightning ridge
2011 – Painted “underground mining” at Big Opal Lightning Ridge
2010 to 2015 – Painted mural throughout our home at Lightning Ridge – (green door road)
2015 – Painted “riding for our Lives “ at Rochester Mural Fest -Vic

EXHIBITIONS
2020 Inverell Art Prize, Inverell
2019 - 2020 Gallery on Gwydir, Bingara
2017 - 2020 Fuller Gallery/claypan, Barraba
2018 - 2019 Frost over Barraba exhibition, Barraba
2017 Wild Women of Arkaroola exhibition, Orange
2016 Playhouse Hotel, Barraba
2015 Queen street Gallery, Woollahra
2014 Winton Art exhibition (selected as a finalist)
2014 “I love a sunburnt country”, Winton
2014 Art Show, Mungindi
2013 MCA String Theory Exhibition Warrambool Dreaming Weavings
2012 Where is the art
2010 Art unlimited
2010 Orana health art comp
2008 - 2012 Naidoc art exhibitions , Lightening Ridge
2011 Sand Mud and colour – solo exhibit, Lightening Ridge
2010 - Two Rivers exhibition Gosford Art Gallery
2010 - 2014 Coonamble Archies

AWARDS
2001 – Winner of Telstra women in Business – owner business section for NSW
2002 – Australian Centenary Medal for business leadership

CONTACT

thorungulla@bigpond.com
0478 411 914