Claire Ellis – 'Saving The Franklin River', 2024

Exhibited at Linden New Art in 2024 as part of Facts of Matter presented by Clay Matters. Its aim was to connect with audiences emotionally and intellectually on the topic of the environmental and climate crises, advocating for sustainable action against climate change and environmental damage, and promoting hope and optimism. My extensive research into reclaimed materials and my aim to encourage political change resulted in this work highlighting a successful climate protest which gives me hope. Victorian slate by-products sourced from a quarry are fused to a form inspired by Rock Island Bend on the Franklin River where the protests in 1982 prevented a destructive dam from being built and led to the creation of The Greens. The photograph of Rock Island Bend that was used as a reference for this sculpture was taken by Peter Dombrovskis. The image became famous in the early 1980s when it was used as part of the campaign against the proposed damming of the Franklin River. The photograph shows a part of the river that would have been submerged by the proposed dam and the image is credited with playing a large role in preventing the dam's construction This sculpture is hand-built, glazed using only the same rock as the attachments and single fired.

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Claire Ellis is a Canadian-born ceramic artist and designer based in Naarm. Influenced by her former career as a chef, her practice is informed by a focus on existing resources and deep experimentation. In 2022 her work won the innovation award at the Warrandyte Pottery Expo and was a finalist in several environmental art and design prizes. Her work has been exhibited internationally and has been published in magazines, journals and books. Claire is passionate about climate justice and aims to create opportunities for catharsis and political change through her work.

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