The Journal of Australian Ceramics

Latest news from The Australian Ceramics Association

from Karen Weiss, Vice-President 

Our President Julie Bartholomew is presently in Shanghai doing a residency. Emails from Shanghai say that her work is progressing well, she sends cheers to all from a 'hot and humid China' and she will be returning to Australia in a week's time.

As Vice-President of TACA, I was delighted to open the exhibition 'Clay Chronicles' at TAP Gallery, Darlinghurst, showcasing the work of TACA committee member Heather Fisher and Janet Selby, Biljana Novakovic and Mary-Ann Nidelkos. Human society is bound together by the stories we tell ourselves and others. As artists, we identify those stories and tell them through our work. It was fascinating to see the different ways these four artists had chosen to express the individual narratives, from elephants to family groups, goddess trees to abstract shells.

The Greg Daly TACA workshop was well attended, with Greg generously sharing his considerable expertise in developing colour in glaze, a clear presentation given in his good-humoured and inimitable style. It's good news to all that TACA has resumed organising workshops, as I am sure that there are many members who look forward to benefiting from them. Our thanks to Ellin Pooley and Marian McLaren for their assistance.

Since the TACA was formed in 1961 as the Potters Society ofAustralia, we have been accumulating all sorts of documentation which when properly catalogued and archived will prove an invaluable resource for anyone exploring the postwar history of ceramics in Australia. We are lucky to have Jill Chapman, who is not only well-known for her ceramics but also as the archivist at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum, applying her knowledge and skills in both fields to bring order out of a bewilderment of paper.

As a writer myself, I look forward to rummaging through the archives. In the scribbled notes and the details, I often find a complete picture of the concerns and thrill of discovery of previous generations of Australian ceramists. Wonderful stuff!

George Butler, our steadfast assistant at TACA office has left for Port Moresby. At the farewell party held at Vicki Grima's home, we all wished George well and thanked him for all the energy he put into his many tasks. We welcome Ashley McHutchison who will be replacing George and whose cheerful voice you will probably hear when you call the office.

The Australian Ceramics Triennale is now only a year away.The call for papers has gone out and I encourage interested members to consider submitting a paper for the conference. Details can be found on www.australianceramicstriennale.com and the Triennale website will soon be up and running with regular updates on events, exhibitions and guest speakers.

We welcome these new members:

John Murray, Leola Chambers, Linda Perry, Sue Di Giacomo,Caroline Cardier, Hilary Tredgett, Louisa Hart, Bill Insch, Joan Ryan, Kristin Miller, Lisa Rudd, Chris Pittard, Mary-Lou Pittard, Elizabeth Ryan, Ritchley Lynch, Cheryl Zunker, Vicki Birt, Helen Earl, Sophie Milne, Wendy Reeve, Lianne Counsell, Chris Myers 

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