Material Studies

Exhibition Statement

Material Studies asks the question: where do ceramicists’ raw materials come from? What disturbance is their extraction having socially and environmentally? How can we move away from generic solutions of sourcing raw materials and look towards a locally viable option, inherent to Naarm/Melbourne or Victoria? How can we innovate with materials that already exist and are about to be displaced (archaeological dig discard, demolished building materials or construction ‘waste’ heading to landfill)?

The exhibition presents 18 ceramic cubes each featuring a material found locally in Naarm/Melbourne - from broken brick and tile pieces, concrete rubble and stone-cutting industry byproduct to heritage glass, slate and bluestone. The aim of the exhibition is to prompt industry to use local materials that have potential to give identity and meaning to our built environment through architectural elements, landscaping, public art, finishes, texture and colour.

Craft Victoria’s exhibition listing

Photos courtesy Craft Victoria 2023, photography by Henry Trumble