Pedro Guarracino
Born in Argentina and now living in Melbourne Pedro’s work reflects his colourful life of Buenos Aires exploring “the cubist takes on reality, absurdism as a philosophical approach to life, and the idea that behind everything there will always be play.” During his residency Pedro wanted to explored the connection between the traditional and the modern with a focus on creating new sculptures that he will integrate with Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
“It has been such an honour to be selected to spend time working (playing) at Northcote Pottery. The space, the people, the support, helped me to take my ceramic practice to the next level, and I’m so excited for what’s to come.
My three month residency allowed me the time to explore my art practice in so many new ways. I learnt the wheel and incorporated new forms and shapes onto my hand-built sculptures, always keeping loyal to my love for colour. I’ve experimented with some different types of glazes, and even clays. Soon the sculptures will be part of Kubo’s animated world.
I can’t thank the team at NPS enough, front of staff and everyone else working in such a cool place. Special shoutout to the amazing Iona for the cautious firing of my pieces, all the clay advice and some other quality chats. And, to Zoe for all the care and support through the whole process.
See you all around!”
Siobhán Motherway
Siobhán is a Brunswick East-based potter who’s work is inspired by her background in museums and her curiosity about the world around us.
During her residency Siobhán embarked on her ‘Brunswick Reactive Ground’ project which aimed to “represent the geological, colonial, social and industrial histories of the inner North in a material way.” Over the twelve weeks Siobhán developed a series of vessels and forms that resembled historic domestic functional stoneware, incorporating local clay and reproductions of news articles and social discourse from the period of the Brunswick pottery boom as decoration.
“I can’t quite believe 12 weeks has passed by so quickly. My time as the NPS Artist in Residence has been genuinely transformative – not only in how I make things, but it gave me the space, time and support to reexamine why I make what I do. I loved my professional development sessions with Ray and Iona, touring Bendigo with Aly, trying new materials and ideas, and helping to grow that beautiful sense of community in the public studio. Thank you so much Zoe and NPS, and watch this space for an exhibition of my series of “potted histories”!”
Claire Harmer
Her residency work will aim to explore the “conceptual and material potential of waste” with a goal of creating a series of abstract ceramic sculptures inspired by these forms and structures integrating her own ceramic waste as well as gathered local materials. “Aesthetically I intend on holding the tension between the chaotic ugliness of waste, and the beauty and visual complexity I see within waste sites.”
"It’s been a privilege to be offered, and to be able to take the time to develop my work and myself within this residency - one that I’m hugely grateful for. As a self-taught artist previously working from a private studio, Northcote Pottery Supplies’ public studio and very communally-minded staff have been a joyful energetic shift, and an important step in my understanding of myself as an artist within the wider community. Thank you particularly to Zoe, for the endless enthusiasm and support; Iona for the joyful collaboration and knowledge; and Dan for the inspiration and faith in the process."
"I’ve gained a greater understanding of the forms I’m creating; how the experiences I have in the world are processed through my work, and how my work can direct me back into the world in productive ways. I’ve learnt the material properties of green stains in clay bodies, and the material properties of the gravel from the garden beds on Weston street. I’ve experienced the joy and suffering of firing work with many support structures. Most importantly, I’ve learnt that the hot taps in Melbourne are really really hot and we should probably all turn down our thermostats. "
