Off to Arita in 2014 with Asialink!

I'm really excited to share that I've been selected to join Asialink's Artist Residency Program in 2014 and will be spending 12 weeks in Arita in Kyushu Japan! My host will be Happy Lucky Site - I can't wait to explore some exciting new projects with them and to meet more of the Arita ceramics community and share ideas! These are a few of the pieces I created during a very short visit to Arita in November last year.

This is an Asialink Arts Residency Project supported by Arts Queensland.

A trip to Arita, Kyushu

I've recently returned from a really exciting trip to Arita in Kyushu. Arita is famous for porcelain - in fact it's said to be the birthplace of porcelain in Japan. And seeing as how I'm Japanese and all about porcelain - I thought it would be the perfect place for me to visit. I spent almost a week at Happy Lucky Site Kouraku Gama where I was able to explore some new ideas and techniques and meet some great people. My good friend Shin Koyama and his lovely wife Cory were wonderful hosts during my stay too and introduced me to so many interesting and kind people (and some great food!). It was only a short trip, but it's filled my head with ideas...which is exactly what I was hoping it would do. I'm really looking forward to returning to Arita in 2014 if I can.  

Looking Beyond

I was very happy to be invited by artisan to take part in an exhibition opportunity at the BCM Crucible Gallery where my pieces are displayed alongside the beautiful work of artist Phoebe McDonald. Such a clever pairing by artisan's emerging curator Miriam Carter (thank you Miriam!). Take a look if you're in the Valley in the next few days as the show will wrap up soon! (Photo credits: Miriam Carter)

15 Artists 2013

I'm very excited to be part of the Redcliffe City Art Gallery's annual acquisitive award this year and to show my work (pictured above) in such esteemed company. The show runs from Thursday 7 November until Tuesday 17 December 2013. I hope you can make it if you're in the area. And even if you're not, it's the perfect excuse to go for a drive to a beautiful part of the world!

in my hand group show

I'm really looking forward to being part of the first group show at my lovely friend Kylie Johnson's paper boat press gallery in Ashgrove, Brisbane opening this Friday night, 26 July 2013. All of the artist are making a collection of small works...in Kylie's words:

"The show is based around my poem 'in my hand i had a kingdom, in my hand i had yours' and I have asked 14 artists to create work that is able to fit in a hand. I hope you can make it along to see some small beautiful thoughtful tiny magical work of the artists shown..."

It should be a beautiful show so please come along if you're in the area!

Sanctuary installation on the Gold Coast.

I have a little installation in the beautiful dark room space at the Gold Coast City Art Gallery opening on 22 June and running through to 4 August 2013 - such a great opportunity to have my work showing at the Gallery alongside an exhibition by "Australia's foremost architectural photographer", John Gollings: Learnings From Surfers Paradise: A Rephotography Project 1973-2013. 

So if you're around the Gold Coast and are a fan of architecture and architecturally inspired ceramics - please check it out! Details follow below.

A little look at some of the work...

Sanctuary - Brisbane Show

I am really excited to have a show opening with Andrew Baker next week. Please join me for a drink at the gallery on Sunday 9 December from noon until 4 pm or stop by the gallery from 4 - 22 December 2012. See Andrew's website for opening hours. 

Domestic Renewal

I have been lucky to work with my great friend and sometimes co-collaborator, Mel Robson on a really interesting project curated by Rohan Nicol called Domestic Renewal. We're among 17 artists who have each contributed items to create a single table setting and were encouraged to incorporate existing materials or objects into our work. 

"Works in this exhibition demonstrate how creative professionals are capable of challenging the way that everyday objects are understood.  The works suggest answers to complex problem sets like overuse of materials, resources and energy in our lives....Subsequently, the works represent a blueprint or prototype for how we can improve the way in which domestic or urban environments are planned and perceived."

Mel and I developed our concept together over Skype, then I did my part in my studio in Brisbane and sent the work on via Aussie Post for Mel to work her magic on in Alice Springs. This is the result! 

Domestic Renwal is currently showing at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre until 15 December. 

 

Source: Australian Art Collector Issue 62, October - December 2012

Small works in Canberra

  

It's an exciting time of the year!  Beaver Galleries in Canberra has just opened a show featuring almost 40 artists (including me!) in a small works exhibition.  There are some beautiful ceramics, glass, painting, prints and sculpture on show so if you're in Canberra, please drop by or check out a preview of the work on their website. 

Show in Canberra!

My work is currently showing in a group exhibition at Beaver Galleries in Canberra called "Crossed Paths". The show features works by three ceramic artists - Mel Robson, Vipoo Srivilasa and me! The image above is of a piece of my work from the exhibition called "Kagerou". If you are around please swing by and take a look!

Upcoming show!

I'm going to be part of a group show called "Enlightenment" at Andrew Baker Gallery in Brisbane opening this week. Other artists featured in the show are Ian Friend and Dennis Nona as well as "The Unusual Suspects". 

So if you're around some time from 7-24 December, please pop in and take a look! The opening is from noon, Saturday 10 December 2011.

Hi everyone, there is a lot of heartbreaking news from Japan at the moment, but thankfully, my immediate family and friends are all okay. After days staring at the news online in disbelief, my wife Sonia and I decided we really wanted to do something to try to help. So with the help of some very talented and generous artists, we have created i heART japan - an online charity art auction! Please check out the work donated by more than 20 amazing artists on our Facebook Gallery and "like" our page so you can stay up-to-date when the auction goes live on eBay on Friday 8 April at 3pm. It finishes at 8pm on Sunday 10 April so happy shopping for beautiful work for a great cause - Red Cross Japan and Pacific Appeal 2011.

Cover story

I have some exciting news! My public artwork is featured on the cover of the November issue of "The Journal Of Australian Ceramics"! (400 George St project on the front and Ipswich Courthouse project on the back). And inside there is an article on my work written by Louise Martin-Chew. These were major projects for me during 2008 and 2009 so it's really exciting to see them recognised in print in an issue that focusses on architectural ceramics. Creating work for public spaces has been a new experience for me and it was exciting and a privilege to work with the architects and construction companies to develop my work to be part of these beautiful new buildings.

400 George photos: Florian Groehn

Team of four!

Since I posted hello 2010, it's almost time to say goodbye 2010! But before that happens, I wanted to post something. I have been busy busy because we added a new member to our family in August - another cute little boy! I've also been busy making small pieces for the lovely places around Australia that sell my work in the lead up to Christmas. I'm looking forward to having a very productive end to the year that continues on into 2011!

Hello 2010!!

Oops! It's already 2010. I have been busy entertaining my little boy but I also had to finish my public art projects for a new building in the Brisbane CBD called 400 George (image above) and the new Ipswich Courthouse (images below).

I took these images before the glass was fitted, but now everything is behind the glass and it's kind of mysterious. If you go to Ipswich please visit the courthouse. You'll find a lot of beautiful work including some by Lincoln Austin and Gwen Hanson Piggott among others.

I hope you have a very Happy New Year!