Crumbling Ecologies Nominated for Art Prize

It is my pleasure to announce that Crumbling Ecologies has been shortlisted for the
 2013 Manningham Ceramic Art Prize. 


Exhibition Opening and Judge's Presentation
6 - 8pm Wednesday 10 July, 2013 - everyone welcome

Exhibition Dates10th of July - 17th of August 2013. 

 You can find out more about gallery and location by clicking (here).
 

About the Award
The Manningham Victorian Ceramic Art Award, developed by Manningham City Council, was established in 2009 to support Victorian ceramic artists and acknowledge the special place that ceramics has in Manningham and the region’s history.
 
This biennial award exhibition surveys current Victorian ceramic art practice and showcases ceramic artists from Manningham and the other Valley of the Arts partners – Maroondah, Nillumbik, and Banyule.
 
The acquisitions will assist in the development of Manningham City Council’s collection of Victorian ceramic art.


 About the Artwork Shortlisted 

 

Crumbling Ecology was the last work to emerge from the devolved Monash Ceramics Studio; a response from Jasmine Targett one of the artists impacted by the closure. 

The work had two distinct aims, the first in its concept, the second in its creation. The concept interrogated the central argument used to justify the closure; that ceramics is out-dated and no longer relevant to contemporary art. The second was to strengthen the industry by inviting artists to contribute. Contributing to the work enabled artists to gain tech skills, network and stimulate independent professional practice. Made with the help of over 100 artists around Australia, Crumbling Ecology, is an installation of hundreds of delicate hand cast porcelain geranium leaves on the brink of crumbling.

In Melbourne, geraniums sit ambiguously between a plant and a weed deriving connotations of being out-dated, this narrative echoes reasoning to dismiss ceramics from contemporary arts practice.

The Crumbling Ecology unable to regenerate sits within a tenuous space. On the brink of crumbling, the geraniums embody the story of their makers- the artists, teachers and students impacted by the nationwide arts-sector cutbacks. Porcelain is a material known for its strength; using it in this way comments on the impact the loss of educators (and the knowledge their hands pass on) will have on the industry, reflecting on the beauty and integrity of ceramic practice compromised.