Claire Ellis – 'Mining Companies Buy Political Influence in Australia, Report Says', 2024

A sculptural coil built vessel exploring the intricate realms of ceramic supply chains and mining politics within Australia. Rocks crafted from ceramic sink trap 'waste' adorn the terracotta vessel. The experimental decoration technique challenges conventional norms and symbolizes extraction, distortion, and enshrinement. Claire’s work continually invites viewers to contemplate the complexities of materiality and production processes.

“A deviation from the shared list of traceable materials chosen by the Clay Matters group, the sink trap material signifies the importance of circular studio practices and showcases the possibilities in my work. Through exploring the chemical reactions of iron at various firing temperatures, I aim to highlight the diverse palette achievable in ceramics with a restricted material library.”

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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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Material Provenance

Atrium

May 2 – June 15 2024

Clay Matters presents ‘Material Provenance’, an exhibition featuring four Melbourne ceramicists in Craft’s Atrium comprising outcomes from an international research project created by past and present members of the Clay Matters artist collective.

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