Get to know me

The majority of my work is based on the process of coiling, a simple technique which has been used from the earliest times. The inspiration came from indigenous cultures’ traditional woven textile and basketry.

Underlying my work is a profound respect for the historical and cultural significance of indigenous people (the Montagnards, or mountain people of Vietnam and the Aborigines of Australia). Most of the works depict aspects of the landscape, which is crucial to all indigenous peoples.

I am absorbed by the concept of storytelling and journey through the objects I create. The coiling process to me is a journey itself, starting with the spiral (Koru), from the tree fern, which is a symbol of new life and growth in Maori culture. This spiral represents the beginning and it keeps on going and grows until it looks right and satisfied. It is until then that the journey ends at the top of the vessel (the rim) and the space within holds many stories.

Resume

2021 to present date Tutor at Ku-ring-gai Art Centre Roseville, NSW

2019-2021 Tutor at Macquarie Hills Potters, NSW

2014-2017
Tutor at Macquarie Hills Potters, including fundraising and community involvements, NSW

2011
Completed Advanced Diploma of Fine Arts- Ceramics, Hornsby TAFE, NSW

2006
Completed Diploma in Ceramics, Hornsby TAFE, NSW.

1993
Completed a Certificate in Design (with distinction) at Penrith TAFE, NSW.

1989
Completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Microbiology and Biochemistry at Sydney University.

Exhibitions

Solo

Now and Then, Mu Ceramics Studio Gallery, Mosman, NSW, 2014

New Horizon, Hornsby TAFE, NSW, 2011

Rough Terrain, Kerrie Lowe’s Gallery, Newtown, NSW, 2009

Coiled and Woven, Freeland Gallery, Paddington, NSW, 2008

Duo

Touched, Stanley street Gallery, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2014

Continuum, Clara Street Gallery, Erskinville, NSW, 2014

Group

Accolade, Kerrie Lowe Gallery, Newtown, NSW, 2017

Form (Sculptors Society), Chatswood Chase, NSW, 2016

Cuppa Survey, Makers Gallery, Brisbane, QUEENSLAND, 2016

CHOICE, Beaver gallery, Canberra, NSW, 2015

Pieces of Eight, Clara Street gallery, Erkinville, NSW, 2014

Director’s Choice, Clara Street Gallery, Erskinville, NSW, 2014

Quiet Conversations, Skepsi @ Montsalvat, MELBOURNE, 2014

Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe, QUEENSLAND, 2014

Expression of Self, Skepsi at Montsalvat, MELBOURNE, 2013

A Ceramic Revolution, Kerrie Lowe’s Gallery, Newtown, NSW, 2013

Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe, QUEENSLAND, 2012

Engaging Form, Skepsi at Montsalvat, MELBOURNE, 2012

28th Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award, QUEENSLAND, 2012

Energy- Ceramics by Talented Early Career Artists , Skepsi Gallery, MELBOURNE, 2011

Vitrify Ceramic Award, TASMANIA, 2011

Clunes Ceramic Award, VICTORIA, 2010

Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, QUEENSLAND, 2010

Exhibition of new work titled Rough Terrain at Kerrie Lowe Gallery, Newtown, NSW, 2009

Manning Art Prize, Manning Regional Gallery, Taree, NSW, 2009

Ergon Energy Art Awards, Rockhampton Regional Art Gallery, QUEENSLAND, 2008

Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards, Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, QUEENSLAND

26th Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award, QUEENSLAND, 2008

Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe Regional Art gallery, QUEENSLAND 2008

Christmas in Glebe, Gallery Adagio, NSW, 2007

Small group exhibition at the Inner City Clay Workers Gallery, Glebe, NSW 2007

Graduate Exhibition at the Inner City Clay Workers Gallery, Glebe, NSW, 2006

Arts North, Gymea, NSW, 2005, 2006

Port Hacking 44th National Exhibition, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, NSW, 2006

Dobell Art and Craft Festival, Lake Macquarie, NSW, 2005, 2006

Open Studios

Own Studio, Dural, NSW, 2014

Fund Raising for UNHCR, own Studio, Dural, 2013

Workshops

Corporate/group function, Dural, NSW, 2016

Wood fired Kiln with Fred Olsen, Canberra, NSW, 2015

Wheel throwing with Cameron William, Baulkham Hills, NSW, 2013

Facilitate Wood fired Raku Kiln Building and Firing with Stefan Jacob, Dural, NSW, 2012

Judging Panel

Co- judge for Little Things Art Prize, Saint Cloche Gallery, Paddington, NSW, 2017

Collections

Private Collections
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban, 2008
Nationally and Internationally

Public Collections
UNHCR Headquarter, Geneva, Switzerland, 2017
Pottery at Bemboka collection, NSW, 2014
Shanghai 2010 World Expo
Rockhampton Regional Art gallery, Queensland, 2008
Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum, Queensland, 2008
Gold Coast City Art gallery, Queensland, 2008
Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, Queensland, 2008
Arts North, 2005, 2006
Hornsby TAFE, NSW, 2005, 2006

Corporate Gifts
Board members, TAFE NSW, 2007

Awards and Commissions

‘Sunset at Uluru’ on the front and back cover of the Journal of Australian Ceramics, 2014

Commission- Site Specific wall piece, NSW, 2013

Highly Commended for the Stanthorpe Art Prize, QLD, 2012

Selected for the Vitrify Ceramic Award, Tasmania, 2011

People’s Choice Award, Clunes Ceramic Award, Victoria, 2010

2nd prize (3-Dimensional works) in the Martin Hanson Memorial Arts Awards, 2008

Acquisitive award from Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award, 2008

Acquisitive overall 1st prize for the biennial Stanthorpe Art Prize, 2008

Commissions by Kastoni Home- site specific wall pieces, 2007

Commissions by TAFE NSW for corporate gifts 2007

Port Hacking 44th National Competition 2006

Dobell Art and Craft Competition 2005, 2006

Arts North Acquisition 2005, 2006