ConVerge : Northern Rivers Touring Ceramics Exhibition

Left to right - "Porcupine" by Garth Lena, "Kedem" (East) by Avital Sheffer and
"Compassion Virgins" by Ishta Wilson.

ConVerge is a touring exhibition showcasing the work of the finest ceramic artists, both emerging and established, from the Northern Rivers Region of NSW. It was launched in Brisbane at the Victor Mace Gallery in conjunction with Verge, the 2006 National Ceramic Conference and is now touring to 12 regional galleries in Qld and NSW.

An initiative of Geoff Crispin and Bob Connery, two of the most respected ceramic artists in the region, ConVerge has gained the support of the Tweed River Art Gallery, the Lismore Regional Gallery, Grafton Regional Gallery and Arts Northern Rivers who recognise the significance of the exhibition. The project is managed and auspiced by Arts Northern Rivers, the peak regional body for arts and culture.

ConVerge takes the work of regionally based ceramic artists to a national audience and highlights diverse cultural influences which are invigorating contemporary ceramic practice in Australia. Accompanying the exhibition is a full colour catalogue with essays by: Grace Cochrane, former Senior Curator of Australian Decorative Arts and Design at the Powerhouse Museum (Sydney); Kerry Selwood professional artist and former Head of Art and Design at Lismore TAFE and Liz Stops, ConVerge artist and Lecturer in Ceramics at Lismore TAFE, about contemporary ceramic practice and the relationship of the regional to the national.

The Northern Rivers is home to one of the most established regional clusters of ceramic artists in the country. This tradition has been fostered through arts education establishments including Southern Cross University and Lismore and Coffs Harbour TAFEs, who have strong reputations for ceramics. Many graduates have subsequently established their practices in the region. A respected group of lecturers including Patsy Hely, Tony Nankervis, Denis and Melina Monks, Kerry Selwood, Fiona Fell and John Stewart have all fostered a regional ceramic reputation which has segued into the broader visual arts.

ConVerge brings together a collection of ceramic work that draws on an incredibly diverse range of cultural references, influences and styles. This is exemplified by the work of selected artists including emerging Indigenous artist Garth Lena - who combines abstract organic forms in porcelain with timber, which powerfully transmits his sense of cultural heritage; to the work of Avital Sheffer - whose stunning vessels are infused with the language, symbols and architecture of her own Middle Eastern heritage. Ancient ceramic traditions are reflected also in the masterful lustre glazes of Bob Connery, and in the wood fired porcelain work of Geoff Crispin.

Download itinerary in Adobe Acrobat (268 PDF).

ARTISTS

ConVerge artists include Aine, Bob Connery, Geoff Crispin, Virginia Jones, Margaurite Josephson-Buivids, Catherine Lane, Garth Lena, Suvira McDonald, Judy Martin, John Mawhinney, Malina Monks, Merrill Orr, Tamasin Pepper, Jasmine Scheidler, Bevan Skinner, Avital Sheffer, Andrew Stewart, John Stewart, Liz Stops, Ishtar Wilson.

To see the work of the ConVerge artists visit www.verge2006.org.au/exhibitions/converge.shtml

FUNDING PARTNERS

ConVerge is a touring exhibition developed by Arts Northern Rivers and toured by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland. ConVerge is funded by Visions of Australia, Gordon Darling Foundation and Arts NSW.

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