Pat Emery Award 2002

GALLERY

Pat Emery Award 2002 (25 May - 20 June 2001)

The Pat Emery Award 2002 is at Northcote Pottery Kiln Gallery attracted 34 entrants. The Award was judged by well-known ceramist and teacher Barbara Swarbrick, who chose Liz Low's delicately thrown and glazed porcelain work as this year's winner. Encouragement Awards were given to Penny Byrne, Eve Close, Gary Healey, Lee Goller, and Sophie Thomas, with special mentions going to Paul Uren, Christina MacQuarrie and Jan Barnes.

Judge's comments on announcing the awards.

"I'd like to make a few, I hope, constructive criticisms which people may like to ponder as they look at the work.

Many of the thrown pieces were too heavy for the forms. Remember that surfaces, whether glazed or unglazed, need to be pleasing to touch - clay is a very tactile material. The finish of your piece is very important if you are aiming to sell your work: Buyers are going to put them on glass and
timber surfaces so make sure the feet and bottoms are smooth.

I found that, in general, the show was rather conservative for emerging/young ceramists. Maybe it is a sign of our economic times that even the artists are playing safe.

Pat Emery ... I was fortunate enough to have Pat as a friend. I got to know her when we were both teaching at the Potter's School in Warrandyte in the early 80's. She helped me enormously in many ways and was an extremely warm, loving and vital person. I still have some of her pots in the kitchen that are used daily.

Connie Dridan ... Many of you will know that Connie, who is the Patron of the CV and a close friend to many of us, is ill. You might like to send her some loving thoughts or prayers.

I'd like to make mention of the following work before I get on to the Awards:

Paul Uren's large shino-glazed platter is an achievement in both throwing and firing techniques. I am a bit of a sucker for the luscious reds and creamy whites of Shinos.

Christina MacQuarrie's group of two bottles and a vase work well as a group. The forms are very pleasing if a little heavily thrown. The lovely velvety glazes were marred only slightly by a bit of roughness towards the base and displayed lovely subtle colours.

Jan Barnes' finely thrown primitive-fired pieces were shaped to catch the flames and set off with finely carved decoration and wire collars.

Encouragement Awards:

Gary Healey for his fluidly thrown porcelain forms with lovely subtle glazes.

Eve Close's for her delicate pieces, beautifully made and finished; a good use of glaze over carved decoration. Maybe she had help from a fairy to make the exquisite little teapot!

Penny Byrne's small maquettes for sculpture showed the most adventurous use of clay in the exhibition, with their free modelling and excellent use of wire as a starting point.

Lee Goller's strong and complex handbuilt pieces were complemented by a dramatic, painterly surface.

It was difficult to choose between the last two names to be mentioned. Both groups of work demonstrated well-resolved forms and ideas and a clear direction that the artists are taking.

Sophie Thomas' sensual and beautifully-made flowing forms are complemented by an unusual, textured surface decoration, a technique she has clearly mastered.

And the winner is...

Liz Low for her group of lovely (there's that word again) flowing forms. The group of three small pieces were obviously enjoying their relationship
with each other. This is porcelain as it should be: finely thrown, silky to the touch, delicate rims, pearly glazes expertly applied and everything
beautifully finished. Well done Liz!"

top

Award Winner

Liz Low