There is something magical about walking across a green paddock on a cold crisp morning, provided you are in thick warm clothing. My own experience of this was in my youth going out to milk the cow, and later just north of Albany, going out to a tractor to sow wheat. The cold frost air provides a clarity of mind which I remember when I look at the exhibition "Latitude 35°". (As an aside, Latitude 35o refers to the latitude of Albany WA, and the surrounding areas where many of the artists live.)
On display is a diverse range of objects reflecting the full range of ceramic practice and all worthy of contemplation. Upon entering the exhibition I was draw to the narrative work of Ian Crawford, which consisted of two or three figures and their adventures in building and living on a water tank! We are left to draw our own conclusions are to what is going on and why.
Ricarda Loecker and Mary Wallace present more utilitarian and decorative ware. These are classic ceramic vessels, the jug, cup and vase. One of Loecker's small milk/cream (14 objects II) jugs struck me as particularly poetic. Wallace's exquisite porcelain vases rival anything produced by Royal Dalton or Wedgewood and a fraction the price.
Edith Hepworth's "jugs" suggest human forms and movement while Melanie MacKenzie's Dune Series are perhaps less evocative, referring to landscape.
The structures created by Gail Hocking are intriguing for their unusual appearance and the logic of their construction. While Colleen Pozzi presents solid thrown vases. Lastly a series of pale column forms by Lorraine Harrison are "buttery" in appearance, melting away in the sun.
The exhibition runs until 15 July, if you miss
it do ask for a copy of the exhibition catalogue. It provides photos of
some of the work, artists' statements and a group photograph. Another nice
touch is the inclusion of contact details, making it a convenient passport
to the Southern ceramic art community next holidays.