A special exhibition featuring new works by 14 contemporary Australian ceramic artists working in collaboration with fellow artists from other art disciplines will soon open at Manly Art Gallery & Museum (MAG&M).
CERAMIX (14 May - 20 June 2021) paired ceramic and non-ceramic artists to produce works with a focus on experimentation and on the many varied possibilities of clay as a starting point.
Mayor Michael Regan said the end result was a fascinating exhibition that goes beyond traditional ceramics.
"It's well worth coming along and seeing how artists can playfully and skilfully push the limits of their craft, working together and producing extraordinarily creative results."
Guest curator Sophia Cai said: "Creating art is frequently a solitary experience, and collaboration can facilitate the sharing of not only new ideas but also skills and knowledge.
"It can lead to unexpected outcomes, allowing for more ambitious creations and challenging results, as displayed in this exhibition."
For many artists in CERAMIX, the exhibition provided an opportunity to continue a pre-existing working relationship.
"For example, Glenn Barkley (ceramics) and Louise Meuwissen (textiles), having worked together since 2017, are presenting a new body of work for CERAMIX inspired by their shared love for adornment," said Ms Cai.
"Their installation, which includes wallpaper and pots, is a celebration of colour, form and shape. The works also speak to concerns regarding consumption and the environment, themes that are very relevant in today's world.
"It is also exciting witnessing the outcomes of new collaborations and dialogues. For Franz Schroedl (ceramics) and Shesha Reddy's (architect/sculpture), experimentation was at the heart of their collaboration, using art and design production methods. Their resulting installation is an immersive experience, a unique 'ecosystem' of sorts, which challenges audience perceptions of space."
CERAMIX is a partnership exhibition between Manly Art Gallery & Museum and The Australian Ceramics Association.
