MaterIALITY OF MELBOURNE

Exhibition Statement

Materiality of Melbourne is a re-imagining of the supply chain in our local ceramics industry; a showcase of material findings of immense promise, with potential for global applications. This research project investigates the use of existing, locally sourced materials from construction and demolition ‘waste’ and byproducts in ceramic applications, instead of newly mined material from (often undisclosed) locations outside of our city, state, or country.

Georgia Stevenson of Breaking Ground’s research questions:

Where do our raw materials come from? Through innovation, can materials of abundance in our own locality be used instead? Can we create a circular economy by recognising the potential of materials about to be displaced, such as earthworks or demolition debris headed to landfill? Can we deepen our shared cultural identity by imbuing our built environment (architecture, landscaping, public art) and objects with the rich textures and colours inherent to this place?

Each material, from concrete rubble to heritage glass from archaeology discards, has been tested to understand its parameters; either as a clay body addition or glaze ingredient. The Materiality of Melbourne exhibition investigates the potential for embedding meaning and site-specificity within our surroundings.

Photography by Annika Kafcaloudis, 2023

Thank you to all the Project Partners for allowing access and collection of materials:

B.F.C. Built | Brick from residential demolition/construction site, Victoria Street, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065.

Delta Recycling Facility | Concrete rubble from demolition recycling facility, Somerville Road, Brooklyn, VIC, 3012.

Jotomi Stone Solutions | Stone-cutting byproduct from a commercial stonemason, Radford Road, Reservoir, VIC, 3073.

Kapitol Group | Concrete and construction rubble from Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.

Metro Tunnel Arts & Craft Victoria | Heritage glass from the metro station dig archaeology discard, behind Young & Jackson, corner of Flinders & Swanston Streets, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.

Revival Projects | Brick debris, concrete rubble and tile debris from Easey Street, Collingwood, VIC, 3066.