Benjamin Landau & Lucile Sciallano 2nd March – 22nd May
'During our residency we built a 3d printer which prints with clay. We had the machine physically constructed before we started, and used the time in the studio to experiment with forms and techniques. We learnt a lot, to say the least. This learning was probably the greatest outcome, and as allowed us to keep working with the printer since. We’ve even moved into another studio at Northcote Pottery!
In our practice, Ben is more technical, and Lucile is more accustomed to work with ceramics, so it has been a learning curve for both of us in different ways. Having the time and space to dedicate to making and using the machine has completely changed our practice – we had to dedicate ourselves to a completely new set of materials and parameters – and this is ongoing as we are still working with the machine.
Last week we were invited to talk at a conference on ‘Digital/Material’ at the School of Art in Canberra. It was only when preparing this talk that we realised the changes to our practice, and how far we’ve come in such a short time, thanks to the residency!'
See more of Alterfact's work here
See more of Ben's work here
See more of Lucille's work here
Valentina Palonen 8th June – 28th August
'My residency at Northcote Pottery Supplies was an incredibly productive and inspiring experience, greatly expanding the parameters of my existing multidisciplinary practice.
During the residency period I followed several lines of inquiry including hand-building, slab work, and ceramics combined with mixed media, to produce primarily small scale figurative sculptures and other bodily forms. Working with clay felt like a natural progression in line with the existing sculptural component of my practice, and has opened a new line of exploration which I am still pursuing. In addition to my studio project, my time as a Northcote Pottery Supplies resident allowed me to meet a wide audience including other artists during the annual Open Day festivities, participate in an interview for Craft Cubed, undertake an introductory course in throwing on the wheel, and share some of my own skills in a 1 day workshop based on silicone moulds and resin casting techniques.
I found Northcote Pottery Supplies to be a wonderfully inclusive working environment, nurturing both the sharing and development of new skills, as well as experimentation in contemporary art.
Thank you for a beautiful residency!'
See more of Valentina's work here
Jennifer Conroy 14th September – 4th December
'My residency at Northcote provided me with invaluable time to dedicate to a specific project.
Although I had a studio at the time I applied, I find that residencies allow time and space to focus on an isolated project, to give yourself a timeframe and separate space to undertake it in.
Throughout my career I have undertaken many residencies in different environments, from Universities, Galleries, Museums and in Studios. I find the challenge of working to a specific timeframe in a new workspace inspiring - alongside the interactions with other Artists and Practitioners.
My practice investigates responses to tactility and fragility within porcelain sculptural forms. I am intrigued in part by variances on multiples, and used my time to investigate new hand-built forms that could be turned into wall pieces and connected to one another in suspension.
I enjoyed my residency at Northcote Pottery immensely - not only did I get to narrow my focus within my investigation into wall pieces and suspended sculpture, I worked alongside an incredibly talented team of Artist in Residence and Northcote staff, who have grown to be a wonderful network of peer support within the Ceramics world. I would highly recommend applying for the program. '
See more of Jennifer's work here