'Tabled'
An exhibition of functional ceramics by members of The Australian Ceramics Association made in collaboration with a Chef or Food Producer
An exhibition of functional ceramics by members of The Australian Ceramics Association made in collaboration with a Chef or Food Producer
When considering the age-old relationship between food and pots, archaeological evidence suggests that the connection between bread and pottery is one of the oldest.
For this reason I chose to partner with my local bakery ‘Flour Shop’ which is owned and run by self-taught baker Anu Haran. Anu’s philosophical approach to running her business is based on a desire to provide high quality artisanal baked goods including bread to the local community and to be as sustainable as possible, an approach that though contrary to many modern business practices has not prevented her from being successful. Most of her ingredients are sourced from within Australia and very little food is thrown away, instead being re-used or donated. Anu’s unique approach emanates from her Indian heritage which is also evident in the spices and non-traditional ingredients that are incorporated into her pastries.
I too draw upon my history to create my hand-made functional ceramics. The inheritance of a small collection of textiles embroidered by past family members inspired me to use hand stitching as a means of mark making on my ceramics, to create work that shares my story and reflects my heritage.
For tabled I have incorporated cotton threads from the flour bags found in the bakery (and kindly collected for me by Anu and her team over the course of nearly a year) into a stitched panel that has become a table-runner and which has been used to create the embossed surface patterns on all the ceramic pieces. Inspiration for the stitched patterns came from the painted step on the threshold of the bakery – a flower pattern that is coincidently found in the traditional embroidery of many cultures including India.
https://www.flourshop.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/flourshopau
I too draw upon my history to create my hand-made functional ceramics. The inheritance of a small collection of textiles embroidered by past family members inspired me to use hand stitching as a means of mark making on my ceramics, to create work that shares my story and reflects my heritage.
For tabled I have incorporated cotton threads from the flour bags found in the bakery (and kindly collected for me by Anu and her team over the course of nearly a year) into a stitched panel that has become a table-runner and which has been used to create the embossed surface patterns on all the ceramic pieces. Inspiration for the stitched patterns came from the painted step on the threshold of the bakery – a flower pattern that is coincidently found in the traditional embroidery of many cultures including India.
https://www.flourshop.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/flourshopau
Behind the scenes ...
Inspiration from the bakery
The making of the stitched component
Slide show photography: Greg Piper @blinkneye
Other photography: Clare Unger
Other photography: Clare Unger