Simone Fraser Articulation: aspects creating form s a b b i a g a l l e r y. a u s t r a l i a
23 July - 16 August 2014 Sabbia Gallery is pleased to present Articulation: aspects creating form by Sydney based ceramist Simone Fraser. Following on from the enormous success of her solo exhibition Timelines at Sabbia in 2011, this is a greatly anticipated new body of work by this prominent artist. Page 1: Contained Landscrapes series, 2014, dry glazed, mid fired ceramic form, 480mm h Above: Simone Fraser conducting a workshop at the Tasmanian Ceramics Association. Image courtesy TCA ALL PHOTOS GREG PIPER
Articulation series, 2014, white satin glazed, mid fired ceramic form, 510mm h
The universal nature of the vessel form has been a lifelong area of investigation for me. My exploration involves looking from the macro of landscape to the minutiae of surface where form, texture, and beauty intertwine. My work is both physical and sensual; the process of creation has my whole body engaged. I am at one with the work; the wet soft clay bending and flowing in my hands; expressionistic marks from the impulse of my fingers. These random gestural markings allow texture to create form as well as identifying softness and malleability. The piercings create lightness, pushing through and deconstructing the container even further, enhancing the sculptural nature of the work. The layers of rugged slip and soft water colour application of the dry glaze further extend the sensual nature of the surface and unifies the many aspects of the work. Beauty has been an important element in my work. However, I am not looking for any golden mean of beauty. The subjective nature of it comes from the fact that it is in the eye of the beholder, and it is a phenomenon that has changed throughout history and has helped form tradition and civilisation. It is more than what we can observe and what we are comfortable with. It needs to be tested. For example, imperfection yields new forms of beauty and this investigation is a constant in my work. Therefore my role as an artist is not to define what beauty is but question what has been seen in the past, while also bringing new elements together and pushing into new ways of seeing beauty subjectively. Simone Fraser, June 2014 Impressions series, 2014 (detail), dry glazed, mid fired ceramic form
Impressions series, 2014, dry glazed, mid fired ceramic form, 370mm h
Contained Landscrapes series, 2014, dry glazed, mid fired ceramic form, 230mm h Impressions series, 2014, dry glazed, mid fired ceramic form, 370mm h Simone Fraser is an Australian ceramic artist who has been practising since graduating from the Canberra School of Art in the Australian Capital Territory in 1981. She completed post graduate studies at Monash University in 2000. Fraser s work has been included in many private collections and over 30 public collections worldwide including: The National Gallery of Australia; The International Modern Pot Art Museum, Yixing China; Wollongong Regional Art Gallery; Art Gallery of Western Australia; Art Gallery of South Australia; Campbelltown Regional Art Gallery NSW; Perc Tucker Art Gallery QLD; Bathurst Regional Art Gallery NSW; Manly Art Gallery and Museum Sydney; Elton John Art Collection UK; Qantas Art Collection Australia; Crown Casino Melbourne; Artbank Collection NSW & the Australian National University ACT. Since 1981 Fraser has been involved in over 100 solo and group exhibitions in Australia, China, New Zealand and South Korea. Some selected shows include: Contained Impressions: solo show 2013 (Narek Galleries Tanja NSW), The 3rd Shanghai International Modern Pot Art Biennial 2012 (Shanghai Museum of Arts and Crafts China), Together in Harmony 2011 (travelling exhibition, South Korea), Timelines: solo show 2011 (Sabbia Gallery Sydney), Bravura: 21st Century of Australian Craft 2010 (Art Gallery of South Australia), Past and Present: solo show 2009 (Narek Galleries), Alan Peascod: Influences and Dialogue 2008, (Wollongong City Gallery); Ceramics: The Australian & New Zealand Context 2002, (Campbelltown City Art Gallery) Simone Fraser has lectured extensively in tertiary institutions and presented many workshops. She is currently lecturing at The National Art School in Sydney.
I N V I T A T I O N Please join the Directors Anna Grigson and Maria Grimaldi at the opening and preview of two outstanding exhibitions, Articulation: aspects creating form by Simone Fraser and I don t want to be a pie by Charlotte Le Brocque on Friday 25th July, 6.00 to 8.00pm We are pleased to have Merran Esson, Head of Ceramics, National Art School, Sydney and contemporary ceramic artist to launch the exhibitions at 7.00pm RSVP for opening to Sarah Grimaldi on 02 9361 6448 or sarah@sabbiagallery.com The exhibitions run from 23 July to 16 August 2014 s a b b i a g a l l e r y www.sabbiagallery.com 120 Glenmore Road, Paddington, NSW, Australia ph 61 2 9361 6448. email gallery@sabbiagallery.com Tues to Fri 11am to 6pm and Sat 11am to 4pm