Exhibition Review: “Milestones – a journey in clay”

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Exhibition Review: “Milestones – a journey in clay”

by Susan Guenther, Raglan Old School Arts Centre
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Many Enjoy The Journey

Talent, skill and much experimentation has culminated in a gallery full of strange and wonderful objects which bring to life features of each artist’s personal creative journey. The artists who regularly meet at Mountain Dreaming Arts Workshop opened their exhibition at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre on Saturday. A large crowd attended to enjoy the journey.

Artistic exploration, emerging from a foundation of traditional clay sculptural techniques, has resulted in pieces which demonstrate an evolving journey. Curator Susan Flight describes working in three dimensional form with clay as good fun.
“You don’t quite know what you’re going to get until you have it” says Susan. Trying out colours and textures, getting your hands dirty and not knowing if you have succeeded until your work emerges from the kiln is very exciting.

Susan Flight’s muse is the sea. A series of Sea Witch masks boldly makes this connection. Mike Vine’s earthenware “Anchor Stone”, carved with images of marine life continues this link to the ocean. Wanda Barker’s Lava Arch also makes an association with nature, reflecting her interest in myth and dark beauty.

It seems Patrick Day wants to retain a keepsake of his journey in clay. The note beside Patrick’s kiln fired, not for sale, “Exploded Head”, tells us there is an unexpected story behind this piece “Lesson one, no air gaps”. The head again forms the focus of the work of both Emma Mortimer and Marilyn Yeates. Also concerned with the human as subject matter, Alison Trenwith aims to express, moods, feelings and relationships.

Figurative work continues with the eye-catching, amusing works of Susanne Giessen Prinz. Susanne invites us to form our own connection with her quirky characters and objects, creating a personal story as the work touches us.

Merren Goodison’s “It’s Just a short boat ride. Find out what it’s all about before it’s over” continues a theme of intriguing titles.

Milestones is a tribute to the tutelage of Susan flight who has played a huge role in the group’s inspirational process. The works can be viewed at the Old School Arts Centre in Stewart St where you can talk to the artists about the many interesting stories behind the pieces. The exhibition is open every day from 10am to 4pm, until 28 October.

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