A UNIQUE representation of fine porcelain and tea by artist, Yhonnie Scarce has been the selected works to take out the top prize in this year’s Shepparton’s Indigenous Ceramic Award, which has attached to it a prize of $20,000.
The winning work, Servant and Slave, was selected for the way it speaks to difficult histories with a delicacy and resolved sophistication of language and material. In an extension of her previous work, Scarce rethinks the traditions of fine porcelain and tea. Her broken and intentionally fragmented porcelain cups appear inhabited or co-opted by a series of black glass forms. She invites us to reflect on past oppressions and lived experiences from her own family.
Shepparton Art Museum director, Dr Rebecca Coates said the award supports Indigenous artists to pursue aspirational projects in the medium and provides a national platform to share personal, historical and deep cultural learnings from artist and country.
“The award celebrates and supports the rich and diverse use of the ceramic medium by Indigenous artists and acknowledges the special industry of ceramic art. Each shortlisted artist has presented a substantial body of new work for display,” Dr Coates said.
The 2018 Indigenous Ceramic Award exhibition will run until Sunday, November 11 at Shepparton Art Museum.
