The physical landscape surrounding the Tweed River Art Gallery and an important event on the Chinese calendar in 2012 are linked in a new exhibition of ceramic works.
The Dragon’s Back is an exhibition of new ceramic works by three artists from the Northern Rivers region, Sue Fraser, Louise Fulton and Ruth Park.
Ms Fulton said the landscape of the caldera and the Year of the Dragon are both inspirations for the works.
“The spiky ridgeline of the eroded volcano bears an uncanny physical resemblance to the Chinese mythical dragon which this exhibition celebrates in ‘The Year of the Dragon’,” said Ms Fulton.
“Mount Warning has been called Wollumbin (the cloud catcher) by indigenous people for millennia, and in its moist gullies, real water dragons swim and sun themselves. Asian dragons are also associated with water, clouds, mist and rain.”
Gallery Director Susi Muddiman said Dragon’s Back was specifically scheduled to complement another exhibition highlighting the connection between Australian and Chinese culture Personal Space: Contemporary Chinese and Australian Prints.
“Apart from the links to the Gallery’s spectacular site, and the Chinese astrological calendar, Dragon’s Back is a fascinating exhibition, sure to engage our visitors, as the artists have utilised elements of the Chinese culture as their inspiration,” said Miss Muddiman.
“Sue Fraser has made horses and gourds with dragons and symbolic elements silk-screened and embossed onto the surface. In China, horses are symbolic of dragons on earth, with dragon energy and dragon speed.
“Ruth Park’s delicately thrown and carved forms convey simplicity and beauty. Embossed calligraphy on the body of the work is an example of the emphasis on writing as one of the pre-eminent Asian arts.
“Louise Fulton’s wall sculptures have aspects of the East Asian dragon in both physical and metaphorical form. Fulton’s cauldrons with stirring rods are based on ancient Chinese bronze steaming vessels, the upper parts used for food, the lower for water.”
The three regional artists represented in Dragon’s Back have been influenced by the cultures of Asia and the Middle East, through travel, residencies and ceramic festivals.
The Dragon’s Back exhibition includes work that is resonant of traditional Asian forms within a contemporary Australian context. A physical connection to the surrounding landscape and a cultural re-embodiment is made through sculptural form, glaze and decoration.
Public Programs:
Children’s Workshops in Clay with Ruth Park: Sunday, April 15.
As part of the Gallery’s school holiday program, children can learn a range of clay hand-building skills, including pinch, coil, slab and modelling, in a friendly and fun environment. Participants can use these techniques to create their very own dragon!
10-12noon: ‘Hagrid’s Dragon’ for ages 6-13 years Cost: $35
1-4pm: ‘Kilgaharrah the Dragon’ for ages 14+years Cost: $50
To avoid disappointment, please contact the Gallery on (02) 6670 2790 to secure your booking.
