The Clay Architecture Show brings together Architects and Potters to collaboratively create works for exhibition. The ceramic skills of the Potters, their design knowledge and awareness of ceramic history will be complemented by the spatial and construction skills of Architects to produce an exhibition that breaks new ground with works that are sculpture and architecture and ceramic.
Since the beginning of Human History, clay has been used to create dwellings - from the adobe huts in Africa to South American stucco or the elaborate tombs of China - clay has been the material of architects, the support for roofs and finish to walls as well as the source of domestic utensils and sculpture. More recently, contemporary artists like Judy Chicago, Brodsky and Utkin have brought the use of clay to the world of modern ‘architectural’ art.
The Clay Architecture Show explores the relationship between architecture and clay. In teams of two (one architect and one potter), the participants are investigating common ground and ideas, using the history of the two genres as a starting point for a new kind of art.
Through the process of solving ideas, the teams have collaborated to produce either an architectural work or a sculptural form or an installation within a given part of the gallery. Large triangular Roman brick works, towers and interior architectural style constructions are included from participants such as Bronwynne Cornish, John Parker, David Kissler, Peter Lange, Simon Carnachan, Graham Lane, Christine Thacker, Matt McLean and Graeme Scott.
The Clay Architecture Show follows on from previous interior Design Guild sponsored exhibitions at the Fisher Gallery by asking people from different areas of training and practice to combine their skills in a new and innovative way. With the assistance of the Interior Design Guild, these practitioners have been commissioned to create works specifically for this exhibition. The result of combining these two professions: fission - these artworks are new and exciting, large and miniature, architecture and ceramic.