Birds of Clay Podcast

Today Jane chats with artist, educator, academic and community worker, David Usher. We chat about David's rich history in the arts in Brisbane and Toowoomba, his research into the 'Spook' and the importance of community. Please check out David's instagram as it really brings this chat to life with artworks and photos: a real archive of a creative life!
https://www.instagram.com/the_david_usher/
David Usher is a Brisbane born Toowoomba based artist undertaking a Doctorate at the University of Southern Queensland - his area of research is ‘the Spook’.

David explains, ‘the Spook occurs in an artwork through the culmination of a series of elements - of the application of composition, colour and light... The artist develops an intuitive awareness or knowledge about their arts practice to gain a sense of the overall feeling of the work in front of them, to ascertain whether the composition, or ‘feel’ of the work has reached the moment when it has a kind of magic about it.’ David’s work captures the essence, or emotion within a landscape, and in doing so, embodies the feeling or experience of the Spook.

There is a wealth of theoretical research David has engaged with, he has recently co-authored an essay titled ‘Notions of the Spook and the Role of the Studio: Considerations of Space and the Sensory Experiences of Producing Art’.

The thing that is special about this research is that it is a theoretical discussion of something that is felt. The instinctive landscapes are a direct translation of David’s physical experience in a landscape, his experience is captured and transferred to be read as the Spook in his paintings/ceramics.

David has shown with several galleries including Doggart and ALG, and has work in collections including Queensland Art Gallery, Artbank, Brisbane City Hall Gallery and Queensland Potters Association.
https://www.david-usher.com/

David is represented by Alexandra Lawson Gallery.
https://www.alexandralawsongallery.com/

David is exhibiting at La Trobe Art Space with Naomi White and Liesl Baker in a show called Tall Tales 11 -17 June. https://www.latrobeartspace.com/
--------------------------------------------------------
Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.
Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery

In the episode today we are reflecting (gushing) about the week we have just had in North West NSW at Clay Gulgong.
Clay Gulgong is a week long biennial event, globally recognised for its strong links with the field of ceramics. It is run by Mansfield Ceramics and brings an amazing group of national and international artists to the beautiful town of Gulgong.
https://www.mansfieldceramics.com/clay-gulgong/about/
@claygulgong_mansfieldceramics
Here are the artists we spoke about:

• Josh Copus @joshcopuspottery https://www.joshcopus.com/
• Tan Tek Heng (Alvin) @tucollab
• Naidee Changmoh @naidee_changmoh
• Chanakarn (Punch) Semachai @numpucsh https://www.numpucsh.com/
• Shiyuan Xu @shiyuanxu129
• Ted Secombe @tedsecombeofficial https://tedsecombe.com/
• Malcom Greenwood @malcomgreenwoodceramics https://malcolmgreenwood.com/
• Tim See @timseeclay
• Ebony Russel @ebonyrussell.art https://ebonyrussell.com/
• Ruth Ju-shih Li @ruth.li.art
• Tomoko Konno @arttomoko https://www.moonxmoon.com/
• Marina Pribaz @marinapribaz https://marinapribaz.com/
• Aaron Scythe @godinc247 https://www.ascythe.com/
• Simone Fraser @simonefraserceramics https://simonefraser.com.au/
• Fleur Schell @fleurschell https://www.fleurschell.com/
• Keith Brymer Jones @keithbrymerjones https://www.keithbrymerjones.com/

UniSQ Biennial Art Award https://www.unisq.edu.au/about-unisq/locations/toowoomba/art-gallery/art-award/2024-finalists
--------------------------------------------------------
Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.
Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery

Today Rora and Jane discuss putting their work into the world. When do you do it? Where do you do it? How do you do it? Deep dives into markets, galleries, art prizes and more.
Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.
Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery

In this episode we have the privilege to speak to two amazing artists - Shannon Garson & Sarah Rayner! Both women live and work on beautiful Jinibara Country (Maleny and surrounds) in Regional Queensland (in the background you can hear the local birds squawking/chirping and leaves rustling.)
It's a long rich chat. We cover so many great topics - clay origin stories, working from a home studio, finding your voice, artist statements, importance of community, and the power of critique.
Shannon Garson
https://www.instagram.com/shannongarson/
https://www.shannongarsonporcelain.com.au/
Shannon is running the next creative voyage in July in Maleny. Find out more here -https://creativevoyagemaleny.com/
Sarah Rayner
https://www.instagram.com/sarah.rayner/
https://www.sarahrayner.com.au/
Sarah is represented by Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert https://gallerysallydancuthbert.com/
Though we better add a glossary for a couple of term we mentioned...
Terra sig - Terra sigillata is a very smooth, lustrous coating of clay which resembles a glaze and is virtually waterproof.
NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) - a government funded program supporting new small business owners. It's still happening https://www.dewr.gov.au/new-business-assistance-neis

Today we are at Rora's place and we are taking a deep dive into Kilns! Rora has a Gas Kiln and Jane has an Electric Kiln, we both got them second hand and have had our challenges. We are no experts, just sharing what we have learnt along the way.
Have something to add or a question? Talk to us via email [email protected] or Instagram @birdsofclay_podcast.
Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery