RESPONSE: CLAY PLAY

ware.where is a ceramic exhibition and retail opportunity at Forest Lodge featuring four ceramic artists and friends. Together they offer contemporary ceramics for the interior, from vessels to lighting to wall artwork. Each artist explores the three-dimensional possibilities of clay, creating ceramic objects that enrich the senses and the quality of our spaces at home. The public can view the works through the prominent window displays 24/7, or visit during opening hours.

Exhibition Saturday 7 September – Saturday 26 October
Opening hours Saturdays 11 - 3pm
Artist Talk Saturday 12 October, 1:30pm

What is ware.where and who is involved?
It’s a collaboration of four ceramic artists: Joseph Turrin, Rina Bernabei, Kelly Brown and Beanie Aldrett Fleming.

What is branch3d, the space you have taken over?
Branch3d is a shopfront space in Forest Lodge owned by artist Sarah Nolan. Sarah has generously given it over to several artists this year for a two-month period to promote their work and creativity in the Glebe/Forest Lodge area.

Can you give a brief idea of each artist’s practice?
Joseph does very textural work, capturing the making process. His playful approach traverses his interest in the history of ceramics, textiles and nature. His creations range from utilitarian pieces to unique vessels and sculptural pieces.

Rina has a product designer background. Her work contrasts between a minimal, machined aesthetic and rich textural embellishments. It reflects on the relationships between handmade craft practices and manufacture.

Kelly references ancient ceramic archetypes with her bold pieces that could have been dug up from lost worlds. She also uses otherworldly organic forms to create her functional and sculptural interior wares.

Beanie celebrates her Mexican heritage with vibrant, dynamic and decorative forms that express her journey and desire to understand, acknowledge and celebrate the intersection of her multiple cultural identities and the effects of immigration.

How did you all meet and what made you want to exhibit together?
We all met and worked together at Kil.n.it Experimental Ceramic Studios in Glebe. Rina, Kelly and Beanie share a studio there and Joesph was the manager for many years. We had exhibited together in group shows and felt an affinity to each other’s work. While our works come from a different place with individual aesthetics, they all celebrate the textural qualities of the clay and making.

Some of us sell together at the same shop/galleries, such as ADC’s Object Shop, DEA and Pepite, and stylists have placed our pieces together as they complement each other. We felt there was an opportunity to showcase local, beautifully crafted ceramics for the home in a setting that isn’t a gallery. We want to make it more accessible and show how to layer different ceramic works in interiors. Ware.Where is … where to put ceramicware.

How does the Sydney Craft Week Festival help you as artists?
As long term fans of SCW and past participants, we feel the Festival allows craft makers to connect with each other to share their practice, as well as forging new connections and future collaborations. In the short time Ware.Where has been open we have met other creatives in the area and sparked discussions. It has been wonderful opportunity to showcase our work but being part of a bigger creative festival makes us push our work to another level to test new markets. Through the SCW network and promotion we can connect with a much wider audience.

What do you hope visitors will experience?
We feel it’s important to celebrate the creativity of this city and we hope Ware.Where brings some beauty and joy to the area. One reason we chose the shopfront was to share with people the amazing work of their local community. We hope to spark the interest of passers-by and visitors to take some time to have a closer look … and hopefully even take home a unique, hand-crafted ceramic work.