Phillip Frankcombe: "Bhoomi Devi'

Exhibition 4-17 October
 
Artist's statement
The intention in these paintings is to show Mother Nature or the Earth Goddess's ( Bhoomi Devi in Sanskrit) creation, energy and creativity. Landscape painting being a very old but still relevant artistic expression; a traditional appreciation of the land we are from and live on. Mother Nature is a physical and beautiful result of this creative energy which has made us and which is so generous and bountiful.  Hopefully these paintings are a humble offering to something greater than ourselves.

The paintings can be of various sizes, combinations and styles but with the same visual intention in mind. Stretched canvas, both mounted canvas boards and MDF have acrylic gesso ground with acrylic paint as the first colours and then oils. Combinations of colours are used as a constant reminder of the light and a clear varnish gives life and shine to the colours.

See more of Phillip's work at: www.salutationart.com

Endangered Species. Jude Maisch.

 There is an unprecedented unnatural extinction of many marine species, due mainly to irrational human behaviour and activities. While most of the focus of ecologists is on the larger species, it is the tiny sea creatures, the molluscs, that I wish to focus on. Every species, no matter how small, is special and unique.

As a child I was a shell collector, a gatherer of unusual shapes with intricate patterned and textured surfaces:  the discarded homes of tiny sea creatures. One of my most favoured was the cowrie, the glossy shell made by a sea snail. (There are about 200 different species of cowries, and they are endangered.) The discovery of such beauty amidst an expanse of sand, in a rock crevice or beside the water’s edge was always a moment of excitement and joy.

Now I find myself gravitating towards shell type forms as I squeeze and pinch the clay in my hands. What I am making are forms that represent these endangered molluscs, rather than imitations of them. The vessels focus on colour, pattern, texture and often tiny patches of incredible contrasting iridescence or pearl-like beauty. You are being asked to consider the beauty in every species, no matter how small, and to look carefully.

 

Jude Maisch

September 2012

New work by Yulia Szalay and John Watson

Pierced Southern Ice porcelain vessel by Yulia Szalay

This month Off Centre features new ceramics by Yulia Szalay and John Watson. 
Yulia Szalay's passion is decoration, creating intricate designs on slipcast forms through piercing, carving, and incising.  Her material is mainly Southern Ice Porcelain, and her elegant vessels and sculptures fully exploit its stunning translucency and whiteness.

Sculptural ceramics by John Watson

John Watson's work references past civilisations, often in the form of towers and other buildings, and combines strong architectural forms with rich glazes of colour. 
You can view these works daily at Off Centre, from 10 am to 5 pm throughout September.

New works by Jude Maisch and NosMos

'Rose Robin' by Rodney Alexander

Throughout August, Off Centre features new works by Jude Maisch, Hiedi Limebeer and Rodney Alexander. NosMos, the creative team of Hiedi Limebeer and Rodney Alexander, exhibit stunning new jewellery and domestic wares in polished acrylic, together with their signature paintings of birds and Tasmanian animals. Jude Maisch's gorgeously decorated ceramics and felting celebrate nature's patterns and colours, with her "Floribunda" range of maijolica decorated tableware, and new scarves to warm your winter. 

Bookends by Hiedi Limebeer of NosMos

'Floribunda' table ware range by Jude Maisch

'Floribunda' table ware by Jude Maisch (detail)

New work by Junita Stevens

Leaf platter by Junita Stevens

This week until Thursday 26th July, check Off Centre's microgallery window for new ceramics by Junita Stevens.  Junita's soft, rich glazes bring new life to traditional themes based on nature - birds, animals, leaves, fungi and "everything bright and beautiful'', including the reflections in a garden puddle after a shower.  From Thursday you can still find Junita's work inside Off Centre.

Kim Foale and Carolyn Toselli

Ceramic treasure boxes by Kim Foale

Sculpture by Carolyn Toselli

Throughout July, Off Centre's gallery window features unique ceramics by Kim Foale and Carolyn Toselli.  Carolyn is well known for her stylized animal sculptures and decorative functional ware.  Kim's work is made in direct response to the factory produced ceramics that you can find in any large department store.  She writes:
'I am not a machine. I deliberately leave fingermarks in the glaze, somewhere within my work and they are most evident at the base of my tall cups. My edges are uneven on purpose and I  put a lot of time and thought into each individual piece. I make one off original art pieces, generally with an environmental story to them. I fire in reduction as well as oxidation and I like to use stone or bone tools when I am working, as my clay responds better to these natural materials.'
Find out more about Kim on her personal blog frogpondsrock.com

Bowl and jug by Kim Foale

New works by John Watson

'Effandra' by John Watson

From June 29 to July 13, check Off Centre's micro-gallery window for John Watson's richly detailed sculptural explorations of other worlds and countries in ceramics and mixed media.

John writes:

While some of my work references past civilisations, often in the form of towers and other buildings, I’m also stimulated by science fiction, which prompts me to conjure up imaginary landscapes on planets yet to be discovered. Such is “Effandra” which pictures an aerial view of a riverside settlement on the planet Arcturus. “In the Great Hall” is part of a wall which provides a repository for religious artefacts maintained by Arcturan monks in a huge underground cavern.

“Oh, Kosovo” is part of my response to the trauma and sadness of the Bosnian conflict.

While ceramics has become my principal medium of expression, I love to combine it with other media…wood, stone, metal and various found objects.