ConVerge is a touring exhibition showcasing the work of ceramic artists, both emerging and established, from the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales. It will be launched in Brisbane at Verge, the 2006 National Ceramic Conference, and will then tour to thirteen regional galleries in New South Wales and Queensland.

This exhibition takes the work of regionally based ceramic artists to a national audience and highlights diverse cultural influences which are invigorating contemporary ceramic practice in Australia. Presented with a catalogue and public program, it will stimulate critical discussion about contemporary ceramics and the relationship of the regional to the national.

The Northern Rivers is home to one of the most established regional clusters of ceramic artists in the country. This tradition has been fostered through production potteries and individual studios in the ‘70s and ‘80s which gained a strong reputation in the ceramic world. Founding artists included Tony Nankervis, Kerry Selwood, Dennis and Malina Monks, Bob Connery and Sandra Taylor. Southern Cross University and Lismore and Coffs Harbour TAFEs subsequently built on this reputation for ceramics, and many graduates established their practices in the region. An international exchange program with studio potters from Europe, the USA and eventually Asia allowed a cross fertilisation of skills and ideas to flourish. Other well-known ceramic artists including Patsy Hely, Fiona Fell and John Stewart have continued to build the reputation of regional ceramic artists which has segued into the broader visual arts.

This exhibition is the initiative of Geoff Crispin and Bob Connery, two of the most respected ceramic artists in the region. It has gained the support of the Tweed River Art Gallery, the Lismore Regional Gallery, Grafton Regional Gallery and Arts Northern Rivers who recognise the significance of the exhibition. Representatives from these organisations form the project steering committee.

Above: Liz Stops, Landscape/Erosion, 2005, cast porcelain, five pieces, two taller pieces - sanded and high fired, three smaller pieces – cast with inclusions, sandblasted and washed with copper carbonate, h.50cm, w.55cm, d.32cm

Left: Aine, Perchings and Transitions 1, 2005, paperclay, h.59cm, w.44cm, d.13cm
Right: Avital Sheffer, Kedem (East), 2005, hand-built earthenware form with engobes, h.71cm, w.23cm, d.11cm
Below: Ishta Wilson, Compassion Virgins, 2006, slip-cast earthenware, 3 pieces, h.20cm, w.9cm, d.5cm

The project is managed and auspiced by Arts Northern Rivers which is the peak regional body for arts and culture in the region and part of the Regional Arts New South Wales network of Regional Arts Boards. The tour will be managed by Museum and Gallery Services Queensland.

ConVerge brings together a collection of ceramic work that draws on an incredibly diverse range of cultural references, influences and styles. This convergence of creativity is exemplified by the work of selected artists including emerging Indigenous artist Garth Lena who combines abstract organic forms in porcelain with timber in his work which powerfully transmits his sense of cultural heritage, to the work of Avital Sheffer and Margaurite Josephson Buivids whose stunning vessels are infused with the language, symbols and architecture of their own Middle Eastern heritage and experiences. Abstract porcelain sculptures by Aine have an organic feel as does the installation piece by Liz Stops. More traditional woodfired pieces by artists such as Andrew Stewart and Judy Martin are also included in the exhibition.

Previous exhibitions have showcased the activities of individuals and groups from this region, but never before has there been an independently juried exhibition of ceramic artists which provides such an insight into the range of ceramic practice. The 1990 North Coast Woodfire exhibition focussed on woodfired work. This current exhibition displays the dynamic and energetic ceramic practice currently occurring in the region between Bellingen and the New South Wales – Queensland border.

ConVerge grew from a suggestion by Stephanie Outridge-Field and Marcus Hughes at the National Ceramics Conference in Bendigo 2003 to make a regional contribution to the Brisbane conference for 2006. Bob Connery and Geoff Crispin took up the challenge, spread the word and gained the support of many ceramic artists, regional galleries and arts support networks.

By the time ConVerge is launched at the National Conference VERGE, it will have taken nearly three years of organisation. While ceramics seems to have fallen away from the public and educational eye of the arts world over the past ten to fifteen years, there was a very positive response from the regional galleries network of NSW and Queensland towards a ceramics exhibition in the Northern Rivers region, where the reputation for ceramics remains strong.

While the initial groundwork for the exhibition was undertaken by Geoff and Bob, the exhibition became a reality with the support of the newly formed Arts Northern Rivers. Regional Arts Development Officer Lois Randall and Project Officer Cath Fogarty enthusiastically embraced the exhibition idea together with their Board members and the three Regional Galleries. ConVerge presented the opportunity to showcase the outstanding work of regionally based artists in a national context.
Expressions of interest were sought from ceramic artists throughout the region and around fifty responses were received. A selection jury of five people reviewed the work submitted by thirty eight artists. The panel members were Phil Greed (Coffs Harbour Tafe), Gail McDermott (Tweed Regional Gallery) and Trisha Dean (then editor of The Journal of Australian Ceramics), plus Bob and Geoff. Twenty artists were selected, including some well-known names such as Malina Monks and Liz Stops as well as emerging ceramic artists, two of these being Indigenous artists Bevan Skinner and Garth Lena.

The exhibition has received funding from Visions Australia, The Gordon Darling Foundation and the NSW Ministry for the Arts. A range of additional sponsors have contributed to the development of the exhibition catalogue accompanying the exhibition.

The catalogue is an important part of the overall exhibition project. As well as being a lasting document for all participating artists, it will provide an important snapshot of ceramic art being produced in the region at this point in time. Three curatorial essays are included in the catalogue presenting a national, regional and local perspective on the exhibition. The essays have been written by former Curator of Decorative Arts at the Powerhouse Museum, Grace Cochrane, professional artist and Head of Art and Design at Lismore TAFE 1976-1995 Kerry Selwood, and Liz Stops, one of the artists in ConVerge.

Right: Garth Lena, Porcupine, 2005, wood and porcelain, h.38cm, w.50cm, d.47cm

After selection, each artist provided artworks pre-packaged to a standard so that the fragile works could be consolidated into larger crates for travel, to ensure survival in an arduous two-year tour.

When an exhibition is put on display everone marvels at the artwork, but the administrative infrastructure behind the presentation is invisible. Any exhibition of this size, touring extensively with associated public programs, requires a team effort to pull it all together both curatorially and administratively. This teamwork will not end until the works are returned to the individual artists at the end of the tour. At this stage the commitment is one of five years: three years putting the show together and two years touring. Many hours of unpaid work contribute to the success of such a large undertaking. Curators Bob Connery and Geoff Crispin would like to acknowledge all those who have helped and will continue to help until the final crate is unpacked and the work returned.

This exhibition is an important expression of ceramics art activity. The high standard, diversity and strength of the works demonstrate a vibrant, dynamic ceramic practice flourishing in Regional New South Wales – making its mark on the national ceramic landscape.

ConVerge will be officially launched on 12 July 2006 at the Victor Mace Gallery during the period of the National Ceramics Conference in Brisbane. It will be on display from 5 - 22 July and then embark on its tour to thirteen regional galleries in Queensland and New South Wales.

Above: John Mawhinney, Untitled, 2005, unglazed Southern Ice porcelain, h.18.5cm, w.33cm, d.11cm