17 October - 3 November 2019
about the exhibition
‘Precious nature’ brings together the work of three contemporary Australian ceramicists – Julie Bartholomew, Shannon Garson and Fiona Hiscock. Their work stems from a deep respect of the natural world often with a focus on secluded and threatened ecosystems. Julie’s work in the exhibition is a response to climate change and its impact on the Antarctic. As Julie says, “A series of four column-like objects titled Climate Scrolls suggest the structure of both ice cores and ancient scrolls….The multi-coloured glazes also capture the hues, tones, shades of glaciers, ice beds and atmospheric effects of the Aurora Australis. The translucent, material qualities of crystal glass and high fired porcelain make visible evidence of climate change hidden within the glaciers and ice beds of Antarctica. Although ‘Antarctic Melt’ and ‘Antarctic Thaw’ are thrown functional vessels, they appear to be cross-sections or slices of the column-like ice cores. Scientists slice sections of actual ice cores to reveal material evidence of environmental changes over time. The glaze patterning within these objects suggest fragmented floating ice, detached from huge melting glaciers due to the impact of global warming.”
Julie Bartholomew completed her Bachelor of Arts in 1980 and after gaining her Graduate Diploma of Education she was awarded her PhD from the University of New South Wales in 2006. In the same year she received the International Gold Coast Ceramics Award. Julie was also a finalist in the recent 2019 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award at the Shepparton Art Museum. One of only 6 artists selected as a finalist for this prestigious award, she has recently returned from a two-month residency with the Jingdezhen Taoxichuan JAEA International Art Center in China. Julie has been exhibiting both nationally and internationally for over twenty-five years and her work is in many collections including the National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia, the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Museum, China and the WOCEK International Ceramics Collection, Korea.
