The 2001 Pat Emery Award for emerging potters attracted a record 36 eligible exhibitors, including 12 new CV members.
There were a number of new initiatives this year including a small display on Pat herself and a reprinted selection of thoughts by Margaret Andersson, Pat Emery’s daughter. Since the exhibition was this year named after Pat Emery we thought it appropriate that those exhibiting and viewing the show should know a little about the woman and put a face to the name.
An “Award” certificate was produced for the first time this year to be handed out to the winner along with the cheque; also an “Honorable Mention” certificate to be used as the Judge chose, to recognise the work of those potters showing particular strengths in their work. The Judge, Chris Headley , saw fit to award six “Honorable Mentions” to participating potters, which provided quite a boost to those not receiving the primary award. This was certainly in the spirit of encouragement that Pat Emery would have approved of we suspect…
The Award was won by Kirk Winter, for his gloriously flashed wood-fired works: a powerful platter, 'Horned Owl' vessel and small bowl. Honourable Mentions went to six other exhibitors, a testament to the exciting potential of our members: Judy Armstrong, Rebekah Barnard, Katrin Chittams, Michelle Galasso, Diane Kirk and Marita Knutsen.
The exhibition, at Northcote Pottery's Kiln Gallery, was judged by Chris Headley, head of Monash University's Ceramics Department and opened by Colin Clark, lecturer in ceramics at Chisholm TAFE Dandenong. Here are Chris Headley's comments:
"Judging an exhibition has to be one of the hardest jobs there is. This year's Pat Emery Award is no exception. How does one choose a 'winner' out of such a breadth and depth of ceramics?
Some works make reference to the richness of the ceramic history. Some celebrate the joy of working with the material, clay itself. Some show skill and mastery over the process of making and the material used. Others demonstrate a professional approach that suggests a successful career ahead.
From conceptual works which take on the formal concerns of the purely sculptural to pots which enjoy being seen as functional objects to be used - simply pots ... I have to say I am very impressed indeed!
There can only be one winner of course. I would like to give a prize to everyone involved to encourage the artist to work and aspire. The highly commended works stand out because they encompass one or a number of these qualities at the same time. The work of the Award winner, Kirk Winter, stands out from the rest with its skill, knowledge and obvious understanding of all of these ceramic properties and qualities: Quiet but very confident.
Well done everyone participating and good luck with all your ceramics in the future."
Jane Barnes
