OPENING NIGHT I SATURDAY the 23rd of NOVEMBER, 6pm till 8pm
SHOWING DATES I SATURDAY the 23rd of NOVEMBER till WEDNESDAY the 4th of DECEMBER, 2024
ZOË TJANAVARAS I JO SHAND I JEN LANZ I GARY LEUNG
This exhibition brings together four talented ceramic artists, showcasing a captivating range of hand-built and wheel-thrown ceramics, alongside stunning paintings.
The collection captures the beauty and intricacy of ceramic art, each artist offering a unique interpretation of the medium. A must-see exhibition that celebrates local artists and their connection to the craft of ceramics.
Zoë Tjanavaras is an award winning multidisciplinary artist working from her Newcastle NSW based studio.
She studied Fine Art at both Newcastle University & Queensland University of Technology then followed on with a Diploma of Design at Newcastle TAFE. This training has led her to establish herself as Visual Artist and Jewellery Designer in the Hunter Valley Area.
In 2020 Zoe won the Prestigious Muswellbrook Art Prize for ceramics and has been a finalist in a range of Australian Art prizes over the years. She has exhibited extensively over the last 20 years and her works both paintings and ceramics have been collected from buyers around the globe. Currently Zoë is working with ceramics building a collection of clay landscapes with ideas of re-imagined places & memories to create sculptural tactile vessels.
Her pieces are made with hours of hand building as to manipulate the clays surface, to mimic textures and tones of the arid Australian bush where she grew up and combine the beachside landscape she now resides by.
Jo Shand is a multidisciplinary artist working between Newcastle and Murrurundi, NSW. Shand’s works with metaphorical imagery- wrecked cars, resilient trees, tradition and landscape are all part of her personal narrative. Flashes of memory and place, stories gathered whilst travelling; love, loss and the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape all reflect in her work.
She has been selected for multiple prizes including the Mosman, North Sydney, and S.H. Ervins Salon de Refuses and has shown extensively, including at Newcastle’s Lockup, Grafton Regional Galleries “Inland See” -a curated exhibition showcasing regional contemporary artists, Sydneys aMBUSH gallery and Carriageworks, as well as being a finalist in both 2023 and 2024 Muswellbrook Art Prize with her paintings and ceramics.
Jen Lanz, an award-winning American ceramicist based in Newcastle, NSW, has been shaping the artistic landscape with her commercial brand, "Good Grief," for almost a decade. Renowned for her signature crawling glaze, Jen's work captivates with its intricate textures and dynamic forms. Her pieces often scale to impressive sizes, showcasing her ability to balance bold expressions with delicate details. Each creation reflects her deep engagement with the ceramic medium, inviting viewers into a world where artistry meets innovation.
Gary Leung is an Anaesthetist in Newcastle and emerging ceramicist, straddling the worlds of medicine and art. Despite the demands of his medical career, Gary has managed to find space to explore a distinctive voice in the world of ceramics. His pieces often reflect the balance and harmony he seeks in both his professional and creative life.
Gary’s artistic side emerged as a powerful form of personal expression, leading him to explore the world of ceramics. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a deep passion, as he found solace and meditation in wheel-throwing.
His ceramic work is marked by its clean lines, organic curves and simplicity of design. His ability to blend functionality with aesthetic beauty reflects an examination of both the physical and emotional aspects of life. Gary continues to share his dual passions, reminding others of the profound connections between science, art, and the human experience.