Irene Grishin-Selzer — 'Cross Sections' Sculpture

Maps explores notions of transience in nature, the shape of time and the sense of place. The natural world is in a state of flux with its internal rhythms and patterns transforming and regenerating over the passage of time. The exhibition takes two separate, but interconnected forms. The first is clay tablets and clay drawings, and the second is object-based pieces. The clay tablets can be regarded as a form of abstracted cartography - sprawling maps where we encounter pockets of energy, the movement of tides, electromagnetic waves, microcosms and the build up of deeply encrusted topographical layers. The object-based pieces may be thought of as individual points of focus, tiny areas of exploration, sandwiched cross-sections that pierce the surface or enigmatic relics and artefacts that carry the traces of ancient forms of spiritual energy.

The works are built from layers of soil, sand and clay loam from Boon Wurrung and Waywurru country (southern and north eastern Victoria) with clay, pigments, oxides and glazes. The build up of textures enables a secret script of mark making that fuses together when fired, making ceramic tablets as thin as paper but strong as stone. Each piece is a literal and powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of nature where all things both animate and inanimate, past and present are intrinsically linked.

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