Unearthed is an exhibition showcasing the final works of ceramics diploma students, and they are very pleased to be holding the exhibition at the Lismore Regional Gallery.

After studying for two years, honing skills and developing distinct styles, their works have developed into stunning artistry through the guiding hand of Phaedra Davy, their teacher.

Phaedra speaks highly of the class's abilities, “This class, they're amazing. Everyone's so committed. Ceramics is a really broad area, which is why we have some sculpture, some wheel thrown, some slip cast. People really lean into their own passion and find ways to express that for different processes.

“We're so excited and honoured to be having our graduate exhibition back at the Regional (Gallery). We were there before the flood - everything's changed in these last years, and to be going back and exhibiting there again just gives us this sense that we're all settling, we're all coming back to normal, and it's just really joyous.”

Ineke Dane, the curator for Lismore Regional Gallery, is looking forward to the exhibition, “We're happy to host their graduate show,” she said.

The works of each of the artists are very distinct, with a wide range of experience influencing their work.

Theresa Mason is influenced by Skangaroovian Funk, which Theresa describes as ceramics that came out of the funk movement, “I'm all about giving a voice to koalas, which are an endangered species and are set to be extinct in the wild by 2050.

“My work is protest koalas. There'll be some that are obvious, holding little signs and flags and some more cerebral like Liberty Leading the People and the Koala Lady series.”

Theresa incorporates Koala facts into her works, and when they were fired, she used their scat to help bake them.

“It's been really good to incorporate that factual information into my art and use my art as a voice. There's a sad irony in that my work, once it's fired and vitrified, it's going to probably outlast the species. Ceramics is archival in nature.” 

Follow Theresa at claymakerceramics on socials. Here’s Insta.

Paola Zlatar was born in Australia, and at two, raised in Chile, “My work is based on the contrast and feelings inside of me between two lands. What was the meaning of leaving everything you know and love behind to start a new life? 

“To start the life that you always dreamed of… Even though you left a place that was rough and hard and loud and chaotic, you still miss all the beauty and the passion and some of the chaos, in a way.”

Paola finds her in a “beautiful, rich country where everything is easier and more comfortable, but it's lacking that extreme world where I originally come from. There's always a tension, internal tension in immigrants. I believe that it's never complete, but at the same time, you feel complete because you got the best of both, right? 

(Paola with her art that explores the dichotomy using different textures and finishes, with windows that we use to peer in at something we aren't a part of.)

Victoria Keesing uses her sculptures to explore connection. “I’m making a series of forms that talks to a story called Pathways to Peace, which is a story about how communities connect with each other to get beyond the damage they've done to one another to find joint solutions.

The pieces will be arranged in groups of eight, “which is the minimum number of people you need to get the maximum range of views in a community - providing you choose the right slice of a community.  

“Like human beings, they're all different. They all wear their colours, but they only show the little bits of themselves they want others to see.”

Despina Angeli did her interview by video chat. Despina has found herself delving into sacred geometry, “I see the patterns in my own life and how it has unfolded, and I see the patterns that are in nature. And I'm fascinated by the micro, gothic level of patterns in nature. 

“I feel like there's something quite divine and intelligent that is there that we don't fully comprehend. I try to put that into my artwork.”

Despina spent some time in India and has put something of mantra and meditation into some of her pieces. Her works were not available to see, so we have to wait for the exhibition for a peep.

Meital Lawrence has let her experiences shape and misshape her works. Living in Australia for 14 years has not diminished her connection to her family and culture and the trauma happening there.

“I'm exploring the notions of truth. Where I’m from, Israel, it is an intense time, and my family got affected. And so I'm living my truth, being here in Australia. It's quite twisted. 

“When you're throwing on the wheel, you want it perfect, and then take that perfection out and change it. It's like, how we modify the truth to fit our vision, our story, and whatever lies or truths we tell.”

Follow Meital at Mudlove on Insta, here.

Melissa Lovegrove decided she wanted to pursue a creative passion and is focussing on Australiana, “I travelled overseas to Greece and America during the course, and I noticed gum trees growing over there. It was just an automatic portal back to homeland.”

Melissa was surprised to see them growing so prolifically, and it made her feel patriotic, “I have tried to capture the beauty of the eucalypt. I love it. I've got three bodies of work, and they're all a bit different.”

Melissa has used a technique on some where she draws and paints the plant, and then rubs away at the edges giving a beautiful subtle effect to those works. “I've also got some blossom flowers, which really cut back to the colours of Australian flora and the beautiful pinks and oranges. And I just love it.”

Follow Melissa at Meli_pottery on Insta, here.

Phaedra describes Eden Blennerhassett’s body of work as “Sculptures of imaginary creatures.

“Eden has an eye for fine details, making her work stand out.”  

The mystery behind her creatures is as elusive as Eden, who is determined to let her works stand for themselves…

The quality of works and range of styles is a testament to the work of Phaedra, “I love to teach, but also I see my job here is to kind of foster people to find their own way. I'll teach process and technique, and I will also encourage people to walk the path of exploring their own creative force and see where that takes them.”

Phaedra encourages, “Bring your credit cards and support these emerging artists. They will be the artists to be watching over the next five or six years in different galleries as they go out into the world. 

“TAFE is very much a springboard. Here we set them up, like I said, with their own passion and their ability. And from here, they springboard out. There's a lot of very successful ceramic artists that all started at TAFE.”

Follow Phaedra at 1000_revolutions_studio on insta here.

See Unearthed at Lismore Regional Gallery from this Friday, the 15th of November (Opening night) until Sunday, the of 24th November. The opening night event goes from 5.30 to 7.30pm. See you there!