Protecting our environment and biodiversity is a shared responsibility. We are actively working to preserve and enhance our city’s natural resources to ensure they will survive and thrive for generations to come.
Find out how we support biodiversity and work to protect and enhance our natural environment. ...
Land management grants
These grants are designed to help property owners to care for their land, including tree planting, weed removal and pest animal control.
We also do this by supporting a response to climate and energy sustainability issues, improving how we accommodate and integrate our natural environment alongside our built environment, using environmental best practice in the care and maintenance of our open spaces, and through a range of environmental initiatives, resident support programs and community stewardship.
We encourage our residents to protect and nurture the local environment.
Residents can get involved in a variety of ways including using composting systems to reduce waste, joining your local Landcare group, controlling weeds and pests and attending nature walks and seminars throughout Manningham.
See the links below to find practical ways you can be part of a sustainable solution to preserve the beauty of Manningham for many generations to come.
On in Manningham Art Gallery's Curio display window, this small exhibition of works by Anni Hagberg and Rhys Cousins extends the artists' recent exhibitions in the gallery, exploring and playing with materials in innovative and exciting ways.
The display pairs silk prints of finely detailed photographs of non-descript textures by Cousins with a collection of amorphous ceramic and mixed media objects created through experimental firings by Hagberg.
Together, the items speak to the artists' shared interest in everyday, discarded or otherwise forgotten materials and surfaces of modern urban environments and how they interact in myriad ways.
Curio is accessible at the south-eastern corner of Manningham City Square (MC Square), 687 Doncaster Road, Doncaster VIC 3108.
Notice is given that a confidential Council meeting of the Manningham City Council will be held virtually on Monday, 19 February 2024 at 5:30pm. ...
Meeting Date: 19 February 2024
Meeting Time: 5.30pm
Location: Council Chamber, Civic Centre 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.
Notice is given that a confidential Council meeting of the Manningham City Council will be held virtually on Monday, 19 February 2024 at 5:30pm.
This meeting is called pursuant to sub-rule 12.1 of Manningham’s Governance Rules and the meeting will be closed to the public to consider confidential item in accordance with sections 66(1) & 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.
The business to be transacted at this meeting is for Council to consider its Property Acquisitions Program. This information is confidential Council business information, as the information would prejudice the Council’s position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released.
Andrew Day
Chief Executive Officer
Get involved at our next council meeting
Notice is given that a confidential Council meeting of the Manningham City Council will be held virtually on Tuesday, 13 August 2024 at 8:30pm....
Meeting Date: 13 Auguat 2024
Meeting Time: 8.30pm
Location: Council Chamber, Civic Centre 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.
Notice is given that a confidential Council meeting of the Manningham City Council will be held on Tuesday, 13 August 2024 at 8:30pm.
This meeting is called pursuant to sub-rule 12.1 of Manningham’s Governance Rules and the meeting will be closed to the public to consider confidential item in accordance with sections 66(1) & 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.
The business to be transacted at this meeting is for Council to consider a property matter. This information is confidential Council business information, as the information would prejudice the Council’s position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released.
Andrew Day
Chief Executive Officer
Get involved at our next council meeting
Progeny is a collection of dynamic works, spanning video, sculpture, painting, and digital media by Edwina Green. The works collectively highlight Green’s creative practice and research interests across recent years (2019-2023).
Progeny in its direct meaning is to be ‘the descendants of a person, animal or plant; offspring’ and pulls from the artists continued connectivity between ancestral lines, intergenerational discourse, and concurrence of being both ancestor and descendant.
Informed by her identity as a Trawlwoolway First Nations woman, motifs of weaving, hand harvested and sewn bags, kelp, spoken word, organic movements on canvas, images of home, and oysters communicate a delicate ancestral tribute, and the current dance in which Green is choreographing with her multidisciplinary, experimental practice.
Progeny interrogates introspection, historical association, vulnerability, and an ability to invest in the artist's practice with a sense of intentional curiosity and closeness.
Edwina Green, Oyster. Image by Jordan Halsall.
Notice is given that a confidential Council meeting of the Manningham City Council will be held virtually on Monday, 27 September 2021 at 8:30pm. ...
Meeting Date: 27 September 2021
Meeting Time: 8:30pm
Location: Closed virtual meeting
Notice is given that a confidential Council meeting of the Manningham City Council will be held virtually on Monday, 27 September 2021 at 8:30pm.
This meeting is called pursuant to sub-rule 12.1 of Manningham’s Governance Rules and the meeting will be closed to the public to consider a confidential item in accordance with sections 66(1) & 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.
The business to be transacted at this meeting is for Council to consider a potential land acquisition. This information is confidential Council business information, as the information would prejudice the Council’s position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released.
Andrew Day
Chief Executive Officer
This exhibition is no longer showing in the Manningham Art Gallery.
Deborah White is a Melbourne-based artist who works across performance-based photography, video and mixed-media installations.
Everlasting Happiness entertains the utopian idea of love as a political concept. The underlying philosophy of this aspiration is to love the most distant. This is not a sentimental notion of love. It is a robust kind of love with a revolutionary power. Viewing the actions of love as a deployment of force, this work intertwines supernatural wonder with the spectacle of war.
The playful and vibrant performance-based video depicts an anarcho-mystic quest battling against the pathology of the post-truth world. Featuring fictitious characters that defy the rational world, the video is infused with flower power, music and animal warriors that open the heart to hope and joy. All the characters are performed by the artist—serving as a self-reflection on the internal struggle to love unconditionally. This work strives for the idealistic desire of a utopian non-place of the imagination. (Sound design is by Jamie Coghill.)
Video still from Everlasting Happiness (2023).
HD digital video, 11:15 mins, 1 or 3 channel, looped, variable dimensions.
Image courtesy of the Artist.
Join us for an exclusive after-hours event celebrating the captivating exhibition I Fall to Pieces as we explore artworks by Naarm based First Nations artists Matthew Harris and Nicholas Currie.
Drop in anytime between 4.00pm to 8.00pm.
- hear from our Mayor Cr Carli Lange and Nicholas Currie at 5.00pm and meet the artists.
- dive into themes of mental health and healing through painting and sculpture
- enjoy curated music by Dr Suzi Hutchings, Arrernte Nation
- sample delicious food by Mabu Mabu
To find out more about this exhibition, visit I Fall to Pieces or for information on the event email gallery@manningham.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9840 9367.
No bookings required. This is a free public event.
Image credit: Matthew Harris, Bad Vibes, 2022, rose quartz and mixed media, 140 x 120 x 60 cm. Photo by Christian Capurro.
If you require access supports to attend this exhibition, please contact our Community Strengthening team on 9840 9333 or at manningham@manningham.vic.gov.au. Auslan interpreters should be booked as early as possible.
Meeting Date: 26 September 2023
Meeting Time: 7.00pm
Location: Council Chamber, Civic Centre 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.
Council meeting livestream
During the meeting, Mayor Cr Diamante read out a statement attributed to the Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. The Statement was taken from a social media page administered by the Corporation.
After the Council meeting, we were advised that the Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation may update this statement. The Statement is therefore not included on Council’s website as stated by the Mayor.
Timestamps
Timecode | Item |
---|---|
5. PRESENTATIONS | |
05:26 | 5.1 Acknowledgement of Ryan Smith |
14:51 | 5.2 Staff Service Awards |
17:54 | PUBLIC QUESTION TIME |
11. CONNECTED COMMUNITIES | |
30:40 | 11.1 Advisory Committees Membership Recruitment for 2024 |
35:28 | 11.2 Manningham Economic Development Strategy for 2023-2028 (Final) |
13. EXPERIENCE AND CAPABILITY | |
43:20 | 13.1 Manningham Quarterly Report, Quarter 4 (April - June), 2022/23 |
14. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | |
52:19 | 14.1 Audit and Risk Committee Chair's Biannual Report |
57:00 | 14.2 Informal Meetings of Councillors |
58:00 | 14.3 Documents for Sealing |
58:52 | 16. COUNCILLORS REPORTS AND QUESTION TIME |
01:15:53 | 17. CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS |
Get involved at our next council meeting
Our community is set to benefit from improved safety, connectivity and infrastructure on Templestowe Route, with upgrade works commencing later this year.
Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange thanked those who contributed to the consultation in November last year.
“We heard from over 150 people through our survey and public session. This valuable feedback has helped us understand the everyday experiences of residents and commuters.
“I’m confident that the introduction of two new roundabouts, reduced speed limits and a new signalised pedestrian crossing can reduce congestion and improve safety around the busy Templestowe Village area.”
The upgrade will include:
- Two new roundabouts at:
- Atkinson Street and Anderson Street intersection
- Milne Street and James Street intersection
- Speed limit of 40km/hour between the two new roundabouts (through Templestowe Village)
- Speed limit of 50 km/hour from Union Street to Milne Street and Atkinson Street to Porter Street
- A pedestrian crossing with traffic lights at the Wood Street and Anderson Street intersection
- Road resurfacing along the route
- Footpaths, kerb and channel along the route
- Underground drainage along the route
Here are some common questions we received during the consultation:
Won’t more roundabouts prevent traffic flow, causing more congestion at Templestowe Village? Could we use speed humps instead?
Speed humps would slow traffic, but not reduce traffic congestion. Roundabouts act to reduce congestion by preventing the lane blockages that occur when drivers turning right stop to give way to oncoming traffic.
What if these changes encourage drivers to divert along Atkinson and Milne streets?
Due to the number of intersections drivers would need to cross on the Atkinson-Milne route, this route would not save drivers time and is unlikely to become the preferred option.
Can the speed limit reductions be flexible during busy/quieter hours?
We are looking into speed reduction with VicRoads, we will explore options to have flexible speed limits.
How did you choose the location for the signalled pedestrian crossing – did you explore other locations, such as near the 7/11?
The location of the new signalled crossing was chosen based on its proximity to the shops and the area's capacity to accommodate traffic lights.
“The project’s main works will be delivered in four stages, with the first beginning around mid-year. We will provide more information closer to that time,” Cr Lange added.
This project is funded by our Capital Works Program, with a $5 million investment from the Australian Federal Government.
For more information, go to Your Say Manningham.
Manningham Council will engage local community groups to help plan the future direction of community facilities in Warrandyte.
Engagement will commence in July as part of the Warrandyte Community Facilities Review (Review) – a key project under Manningham’s Community Infrastructure Plan (CIP).
Manningham Mayor, Councillor Carli Lange said Council is looking for future improvements to community facilities that will better support local services and connectivity for residents.
“Last year’s consultation on the Community Infrastructure Plan highlighted the need for a holistic review into the provision of community facilities in Warrandyte. With an increasing demand for services, we need to ensure the right infrastructure is in place to support community need,” Cr Lange said.
“The Review will help guide future investment into community facilities in Warrandyte,” she said.
During the consultation, community groups will provide information on their usage, needs, and expectations of facilities. They will also share ideas for future services and buildings, including opportunities for partnerships and facility sharing.
“We want to better understand the needs, priorities and aspirations of our local community groups.
“These discussions will guide the preparation of our draft recommendations, which will be shared with the broader community for further feedback early next year,” the Mayor added.
Community groups and services will be contacted directly to participate in the consultation.
If you haven’t heard from Council by the end of July and would like to participate, please contact Council via Your Say Manningham.
The final plan will be presented to Council for endorsement in 2025.
For further information, go to https://yoursay.manningham.vic.gov.au/warrandyte-community-facilities-review.
JamFactory ICON Angela Valamanesh: About being here is Angela Valamanesh’s exploration into the interconnectedness of life on earth – between human, animal, and plant beings. This life view, first felt intuitively by the artist; is reinforced through her ongoing research at leading libraries and scientific institutions both in Australia and abroad.
“I believe that art like science can help teach us about who we are, what we are made of and in doing so show us the importance of recognising that we are part of a whole.” Angela Valamanesh
Inspired by the symbiosis between science and poetry, Angela Valamanesh’s artworks elicit intrigue and a strong sense of personal investigation as she manipulates seemingly familiar anatomical, botanical, and parasitic forms in beguiling and unusual ways.
Primarily known for her biomorphic ceramic sculptures, this exhibition also celebrates the artist’s evocative drawings, watercolours, and mixed media works from her developing style of the late 1990s until present.
Historically, links have been made between the human form and plant species, not only structurally but also through language: the family tree, our roots, or a severed limb, while early medicine made connections between plants that resembled parts of our bodies and their therapeutic effects on those body parts.
About the exhibition
JamFactory’s Icon series celebrates the achievements of South Australia’s most influential artists working in craft-based media.
JamFactory ICON Angela Valamanesh: About being here will tour to 14 venues nationally and is accompanied by a 40-page catalogue featuring images by Michael Kluvanek with essays by Dr. Mike Lee and Wendy Walker.
Other public programs
Artist Talk with Angela Valamanesh
Saturday 3 September, 2.00pm to 3.00pm.
Free event.
Find out more and register online.
Ceramics Workshop with Holly Phillipson
Available sessions:
- Friday 2 September, 10.30am to 1.30pm
- Saturday 3 September, 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Tickets: $40 general admission, $30 concession.
Find out more and book online.
About the artist
Angela Valamanesh was born in Port Pirie, South Australia in 1953 and currently lives and works in Adelaide. Angela holds a Diploma in Design in Ceramics from the South Australian School of Art (1977), a Master of Visual Arts from the University of South Australia (1993), and a PhD from the University of South Australia (2012).
Her drawings, ceramic objects, and watercolours are the result of an incredible depth of research, referencing complex scientific, historic, and philosophical ideas. Angela’s imagery stems from micro- and macro- biology, historical anatomical and botanical illustrations, natural history collections, and rare books.
Valamanesh’s oeuvre is populated with the animal, vegetable, and mineral with glimpses of microbes, bacteria, pathogens, and spores. Valamanesh’s works elicit ambiguity and present a strong sense of personal investigation. In the artist’s own words:
“It is important that the work is not prescriptive but offers the viewer the opportunity of personal engagement with the work and time to reflect on their own personal experiences.”
Instrumental in Valamanesh’s bourgeoning visual arts practice was her Samstag Scholarship undertaken at the Glasgow School of Art. This residency resulted in the seminal work For a long while there were only plants, 1997, and is the point of departure for this exhibition. This artwork – a watercolour, pen and ink work on paper and dipped in wax – is a repository for images and ideas that have fuelled Valamanesh’s practice ever since.
Presenting partner
JamFactory
JamFactory ICON Angela Valamanesh: About being here is a JamFactory touring exhibition.
Government partners
Australia Council for the Arts
The Visual Arts and Craft Strategy
Department for Innovation and Skills
JamFactory ICON Angela Valamanesh: About being here has been assisted by the South Australian Government through the Department for Innovation and Skills and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, Contemporary Touring Initiative.
Angela Valamanesh acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts.
Angela Valamanesh is represented by GAG PROJECTS, Greenaway Art Gallery, Adelaide and Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, Sydney.
Photo credit: Michal Kluvanek.
We advocate for you
Advocacy is an important way for us to provide a voice for the community on issues that matter. This is an essential role of local government.
We are advocating to influence state and federal governments to fund important priority projects around planning, transport, infrastructure and services.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
Manningham is the only municipality in metropolitan Melbourne not serviced by either a tram or train. Therefore, our buses are crucial to how our residents move around.
The Doncaster corridor Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) proposal is Council's public transport priority, as it can provide Manningham residents with a direct mass transit public transport connection to the CBD at a cost-effective and shorter timeframe.
Jumping Creek Road in Wonga Park
Jumping Creek Road Wonga Park is in a unique and environmentally sensitive area. The road is being upgraded to improve safety for all users, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, whilst also protecting our wildlife and vegetation.
The works are expected to cost up to $21 million over the project life. This is a significant burden for the Manningham community, and we seek contributions from all levels of government to enable this project to proceed.
5 Ways intersection
5 Ways is a complex staggered intersection on State controlled arterial roads in Warrandyte South that experiences significant congestion and has a poor safety performance.
This intersection experiences significant congestion and has a poor safety performance, with one serious injury, and five other injury crashes in the past five years.
Other advocacy issues
The North East Link project
The North East Link is Victoria's largest road project. The needs of our community and surrounding environment must be considered, before, during and after construction.
Suburban Rail Loop
We're advocating for a Doncaster Station to be included in the first phase of construction of the Suburban Rail Loop.
Youth mental health
We are seeking increased local access to youth mental health services in Manningham. We support the delivery of a headspace facility to meet demand and create meaningful impacts.
We welcome the announcement of funding for a service and will continue to advocate for local delivery.
Affordable housing
The Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance (EAHA) is a formal collaboration of six councils working to address the housing affordability crisis in Melbourne’s eastern metro region.
Better public transport
We are seeking accelerated funding by State Government for more bus services to meet growing demand and infrastructure improvements to improve the reliability and frequency of the local bus network. Key to this, is larger capacity buses and more services during peak periods to be provided on the Doncaster Area Rapid Transit (DART) SmartBus network.
We are also advocating for the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) connection between the CBD and Doncaster as part of the North East Link Doncaster Busway project.
Doncaster Rail
We will continue to advocate for a heavy rail line between the CBD and Doncaster. We are strongly advocating to ensure that the North East Link project preserves a future alignment for Doncaster Rail, and that the design of the Doncaster Busway is delivered in a manner that allows it to be transitioned to heavy rail, once buses the bus system reaches capacity.
Doncaster Hill public transport infrastructure
Improved transport infrastructure through Doncaster Hill will unlock and complement regional opportunities for improved access to jobs, educational and health facilities and to other community and social services.
- Advocacy Factsheet - Springvale Road, between Mitcham and Reynolds Roads, Donvale Duplication and Safety Improvements90.03 KBdownload
Manningham school principals came together in August to discuss the impact of social media with representatives from the eSafety Commissioner.
At this year’s Principals’ Breakfast we focused on how digital technologies, including social media, video games and phone usage, are intensifying the challenges faced by young people in their daily lives.
‘Someone is threatening to share my nudes’ is the most visited eSafety Commissioner webpage – underscoring both the prevalence of the issue and the importance of the resource.
Our keynote, Nicky Sloss, Manager Education Sectors at the eSafety Commissioner highlighted how teens are facing new and emerging threats online, including:
- a 291% increase in sexual extortion reports from 2019 to 2023,
- almost all children surveyed acted in response to a negative experience online, and
- 40% of young gamers having a negative experience while gaming, and 30% being exposed to potentially harmful ideas.
These alarming facts underscore the urgency of working together. Nicky offered a strength-based approach to addressing these challenges emphasising the shared responsibility of government, schools, community, and families in tackling these issues.
The importance of collaborating was echoed by principals and community members in attendance.
"Empowering young people in our schools takes a collective commitment,” Manningham Youth Advisory Committee member Rimsha Shakil said.
“Seeing people of different backgrounds meet to address the challenges young people face, really showed how supportive our community is.”
The breakfast continues to build on the relationship between Manningham Council, school principals, welfare teams and community organisations including Doncare, Victoria Police, eSafety Commissioner, Eastern Volunteers, and Aligned Leisure.
Following the keynote, a panel of subject matter experts, including Nicky, Warren Turner from EACH’s Manningham Youth Services, and A/Superintendent Carlie Kohler, Victoria Police, shared their expertise on local support, community perspectives, and broader assistance for parents, teachers, and young people.
You can report harmful content to eSafety online.
Report
North East Link Project (NELP) has released designs for the redevelopment of the Doncaster Park and Ride, which you can now provide feedback on and have your say. ...
North East Link Project (NELP) has released designs for the redevelopment of the Doncaster Park and Ride, which you can now provide feedback on and have your say.
The designs are within a draft Urban Design and Landscape Plan (UDLP), which shows that the Doncaster Park and Ride will connect to a new dedicated busway along the Eastern Freeway, known as the Eastern Busway.
The plan is to construct the facility into a modern version of its existing state (like-for-like), resulting in the Park and Ride being retained as a car park and bus interchange only, with a similar number of car parking spaces. The draft UDLP is currently on exhibition for public comment.
Council will be providing a submission in response to the UDLP to propose that the current plan is a missed opportunity to reconstruct the Doncaster Park and Ride as a mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development (TOD).
While the facility being redeveloped into a modern interchange is positive, this is a key opportunity for TOD, which could provide wide-ranging benefits to the community, environment and local economy.
We will be advocating that there is a growing demand for park and ride facilities due to population growth and the lack of any rail infrastructure in Manningham. This is shown through the high-usage of the newly opened Bulleen Park and Ride which consistently operates at capacity, and reinforces the significant opportunity this Doncaster Park and Ride site offers for our community.
As such, our submission seeks to include a multi-level car park with increased capacity, new open spaces areas, as well as retail and other commercial opportunities. This is in-line with our commissioned 2022 site design concept which was endorsed on 26 July 2022 as Council’s preferred redevelopment outcome for the Doncaster Park and Ride site.
We ask you to join us in advocating that Doncaster Park and Ride be reconstructed to include:
- mixed-use transit-oriented development
- increase in carpark spaces, or
- flexibility to address population growth and allow for mixed-use development in future.
Have your say
Help shape the Doncaster Park and Ride. You can provide feedback while the UDLP is on exhibition until 5.00pm Tuesday 24 September 2024.
To find out more, or to make a submission, head to Engage Victoria.
What’s next?
Council will be considering its submission on the Doncaster Park and Ride UDLP at its meeting on Tuesday 16 September. Following this, the submission will be lodged on behalf of Council to Engage Victoria.
NELP will consider all written comments and submissions received, before the final UDLP is submitted to the Minister for Planning for consideration.
You can read more on the Big Build website and sign up to receive email updates.
Submissions close 5.00pm, Tuesday 24 September 2024.
The Manningham Victorian Ceramic Art Award supports Victorian studio ceramics and acknowledges the special place ceramics have in the Manningham region.
The biennial acquisitive award and accompanying exhibition celebrates the best in contemporary Victorian ceramic art practice from across the state. Works acquired through the award form part of the Manningham Art Collection and are subsequently displayed in public buildings throughout the municipality, including Manningham Art Gallery exhibitions.
The Manningham Art Collection includes almost 30 ceramic artworks acquired through the Award since 2009, representing some of the best contemporary ceramic work in Victoria.
The award is currently not running, please keep up to date with Arts Manningham news, opportunities, and events via our Facebook page and newsletter.
Past winners and acquisitions
Title | Description | Year |
---|---|---|
David Ray |
"Within my work I apply critical comment to contemporary consumerism and the less reputable aspects of our national identity through often flamboyant baroque creations. WILD explores the juxtaposition between the perception of the beautiful and the ugly. Decoration is incorporated within the body of the work, weaving, twisting and turning, with a confounding plethora of images, motifs and decals – the ‘glamour of the artificial’ colliding, almost in total meltdown. The hand of the artist is never far from one’s consciousness when viewing my work, which is intentionally imperfect, asymmetrical and sometimes seemingly top heavy. Also lingering in one’s awareness is the nature of ceramics; usually pristinely designed and immaculately fashioned and fragile. These two opposing qualities are a reaction to the overriding influence of machines as opposed to the natural." - David Ray, 2017. |
|
Tim Clarkson |
"Some say the world is getting hotter, some say this is due to mankind’s impact upon the earth, yet others refuse to acknowledge that the environment around us is changing and in a rapid way. With more information and knowledge at our fingertips than ever before, why is it that many of us just don’t see the impact our actions are having on the world around us? With each day, we are given the opportunity to do something about it, yet for something so critical to our future survival, there is little being done about it. Since 1992, melting ice from both poles have been responsible for a fifth of the global rise in sea levels, with the polar ice sheets melting faster in the last 20 years than in the last 10,000. The work titled Washed Away looks at how other inhabitants of this world are suffering the consequences of our own actions. Global warming is altering key habitat elements that are critical to wildlife’s survival and putting natural resources in jeopardy. Studies have projected that the Arctic could see its first ice-free summer as soon as 2020." - Tim Clarkson, 2017. |
|
Magdalena Dmowska |
"When approached in the round, my ‘still life’ of ceramic forms references domestic objects, architecture and the body, whereas from a distance it references painting. Painting is confined by its frame, or self-contained by its edge as it encounters the wall, while ceramic objects work in the round, hence they frame themselves as the ‘clothing of emptiness’. I want my work to show the special power of ceramic forms through their association with tactility and the familiar, as they create intimacy with the viewer, contrary to the experience of separation associated with painting. My work explores the manipulation of familiar forms in order to move the viewer’s attention towards the metaphysical aspects of ceramic objects soothingness and lastingness, the metaphor for the perceptible representing the immaterial. I want the viewer to think about the inside of the closed forms, to embark on a journey of discovering what is really present in the space – the still life of ceramic forms translated into abstract painting. Beyond the art gallery, ceramic objects are perceived through their socially embedded meaning associated with function. My work demonstrates that ceramic forms can operate as hybrids, referring to the function while completely abandoning it in order to embrace the container as the ‘ultimate form of abstraction’." - Magdalena Dmowska, 2017. |
|
Bridget Foley |
"The movement of the glazes and the irregular line that moves around the vessels where the glazes overlap evokes the shifting lines of sand that occur when tides come in and out. I have spent many hours walking along the beaches on the Surf Coast of Victoria. These experiences get expressed in the work I make." - Bridget Foley, 2017. |
|
Eva Glac |
"Duality and duplicity, the agony and the ecstasy of reproduction and sexuality. A species may employ illusory tactics for its reproduction and survival. Unwitting suitors and would be predators see what they want to see or are tricked into seeing. However, no human is a tool for someone else’s purpose. They are not owned, exchangeable or reduced to mere flesh. Body parts are beautiful and are not things without personality or dignity. We are slowly adapting to survive the verbal and physical abuse that is the result of objectification. Will we change physically, behaviorally or physiologically? The Eucalyptus flower buds are for your viewing, but do not ever touch the Corymbia ficifolia without my permission." - Eva Glac, 2017. |
|
Dean Smith |
"This artwork focuses on the link between the worked ceramic form and the disquieting landscape near my home. The gold-mining activity of the past has left the landscape disordered and jagged. The jagged line is echoed not only in the topography and quartz reefs but in the dry, brittle vegetation - the bare twigs whose reflections are amplified and multiplied in the dams and reservoirs. These observations are worked into my ceramic form as surface markings, through scoring and drawing with enamels and palladium. The landscape has contrasts of light and shade, past and present. The tannin-stained dams, the shadowy pine plantation, unearthed metal relics, scorched white bones and unexplained objects, sounds or past movements. My vessel-like form refers to the randomness and order I see in this particular landscape - the unexpected elements translated through strong contrasts and subtle nuance in the sculptural form." - Dean Smith. |
|
John Dermer |
"I have pursued the demanding and often frustrating discipline of salt glazing for almost fifty years. Couple this with my preference for working with porcelain, and the potential complications are amplified. However, this is a conscious choice I make and not some perverse form of self-inflicted pain! After much experimentation with various clay bodies I find that the porcelain provides me with a clean palette and a fine surface which underlays, and integrates with, the materials I apply to react with the salt. For my purposes the clay body is as integral to the form as it is to the nature of the surfaces I seek - it does not remain hidden as with most conventional glazing and firing techniques. I view the salt kiln as an extension of my hands. It is a final tool in the process of making pots. Unlike alternative glazing techniques, salt glazing requires a huge investment in time and money through the construction, maintenance and firing of these dedicated kilns. It is not a ceramic field to be taken lightly. Over the years I have persistently endeavoured to push the boundaries in order to break away from the universally accepted limitations of the salt glazing process. After relentless experimentation and research, many disastrous failures, kiln calamities and some lucky mistakes I have been able to achieve surface textures and colours that are totally unique in the history of salt glazing. However, this pot presents a surface that I have never seen or achieved previously. I also fear I may never again! My aesthetics are a reflection of the traditions and values of the Leach-Hamada movement. I believe in a balanced form, an honesty of process towards materials and a respect for the timelessness of presence. When this pot emerged from the kiln I was both stunned and elated. The proud, organic forms and the subtle nuance of colour and surface texture appear to have been born and not created. They have integrity, beauty and presence. They encourage me to continue to seek the magic pot. A pot that will live far beyond me, but would proudly occupy any place along the historical timeline." - John Dermer. |
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Kate Jones |
"The combination of painted surface and sculptural form creates an ambiguity that questions assumptions about both genres. This allows the work to sit in a liminal space that affords a realm of possibility in which new configurations of ideas and relations can occur." - Kate Jones. |
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Irianna Kanellopoulou |
"My practice is largely involved with the creation of individual ceramic forms that create a narrative and explore issues of identity, (dis)placement, unity and movement. I often utilize collected images and objects of our environment and popular culture to explore the persona and emotional associations with our immediate environment and memories, real and invented. I am interested in using the figure as a cultural object to project a narrative of surreal reality; a super reality. The work is infused with symbolism and it personifies imaginary dialogues, deliberately shifting relationships while drifting in and out of an augmented reality. Different characters and personalities are captured in a fleeting moment to reveal a network of masked identities, fragmented conversations and hidden emotions. Focusing on the micro the work draws our attention to the small details which are often overlooked. This microcosm, at times humorous and bizarre, highlights the transformation and personification of such images as a means of making sense of our surroundings, our environment and ultimately ourselves. Drawing inspiration from 18th century European porcelain, the work fuses the traditional with the modern and utilizes traditional techniques that are rapidly being lost through modernization." - Irianna Kanellopoulou, 2015. |
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Susan Robey |
"As an architect and ceramic artist I use architectural imagery to make ceramic objects that are about the boundaries between one kind of space and another - outside and inside, hollow and solid, open and enclosed. I play with mass and scale in both form and surface texture and make reference to architectural elements such as walls, windows and columns. With soft, flexible cast clay slabs, I draw on my detailed understanding of architectural structures to construct thin walled objects with the lightness of paper but the solidity of buildings. I have adapted builders' techniques to my handbuilding processes including the use of formwork and the application of carpentry joints such as the mitre and the dowel. I use the static and inert in architecture to create the illusion of animation. I want the objects I make to be challenging and ambiguous." - Susan Robey. |
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Prue Venables |
"A search for simple, quiet, innovative forms to be held and used; the translucency of porcelain with light dancing on the sprung tension of a rim, the softly melting body inviting touch; even the frustration of failure - all motivate my work. The procedures and intelligence of making hold my attention. I delight in the relationships that spring and develop between objects as they stand together like elements of musical harmony. From the shadows that form between them to the implied movements across spaces, they dance. An exploration of technical invention with origins in both studio and industrial spheres now enables handles to be fired separately, suspended, to be joined later. Such high risk practice leads to objects that have a sense of impossibility and without the encumbrances of limitations defining them even while they are still an idea. Silver components extend formal possibilities and facilitate the strengthening of joints between sections. The silver material and new techniques has enlivened my understanding of the porcelain I thought I knew so well." - Prue Venables. |
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Petrus Spronk |
"My new series of work is concerned with the magic of the firing process. The throwing of the bowls is the same, though more refined. The burnishing of the bowls is the same, though more refined. The preparation for firing is as it has always been, but more finely skilled. With this work it is the firing process in the wood-fired kiln where the emphasis lies: the enriching of a surface imbued with flame and smoke markings, extracting from the kiln is visual magic, enhancing the work with kiln mysteries, painting the surface of the bowl with a brush loaded with fire and smoke, creating landscape images in its primal form, returning to the source, something raw with something refined, and there lies the necessary tension in the work; the tension which gets the attention." - Petrus Spronk. |
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Alan Constable |
Constable’s sculpture is a lyrical interpretation of a technical instrument and the artist’s finger marks can be seen clearly on the clay surface like traces of humanity. In this way, Alan Constable’s camera can be viewed as an extension of the body as much as a sculptural representation of an object. |
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Neville French |
"My work involves an exploration of elemental porcelain vessels. Through each work, I try to distil an essence of place and evoke notions of quietude and transcendence through the expressive use of glaze and its relationship to form, space and light. The Willandra dry lakes region in southern New South Wales is a World Heritage site of profound significance for its record of geological evolution and human cultural record of earliest Australians. At Lake Mungo the land has been sculpted by climatic changes spanning millennia and the vast basin, silent spaces and ephemeral effects of light, weather and time, inspire my current work. In response to this extraordinary Australian landscape – a place of great spiritual significance – I have gently altered this wheel thrown piece to evoke a poetic sense of the vast topography whilst extending the glaze matrix to achieve subtle shifts in the colour and light on the form." - Neville French. |
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Terunobu Hirata |
"For more than 30 years, I have lived in Australia after leaving my home country, Japan. The life in Australia has always reminded me of my origin as Japanese. My passions have been to express the emotions and feelings I have had through the life in Australia into my work. Also, tasks such as working with clay, throwing on the wheel and firing the kiln give me a sense of satisfaction through interacting with nature. They are a source of my inspiration although they can be distressing at times. I have been fascinated by the ash glaze on dark body. This work gives the feeling of harmony of movement and tranquility. I draw upon the Bizen pottery style from Japan which influences my dark surfaces and undecorated forms. I have been experimenting with various methods to fulfill my passions for pottery. I have been excited and thrilled with what I do as a potter." - Terunobu Hirata. |
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Janetta Kerr-Grant |
"I am interested in how a particular sense of place is conveyed in ceramics. For the past few years I have been drawn to the urban iconography of freeways. My inspiration derives from frequent travel, often at dusk, along the Western Highway. The soft haze of twilight dissolves the heavy traffic, streetlights and road signs into a richer more ambiguous landscape. In this diffuse half-light these ordinary, even banal, vistas are transformed into landscapes of unexpected and fleeting beauty. Working from reference photographs, I use this imagery as the starting point to produce elemental ceramic vessels that explore notions of mood and atmosphere." - Janetta Kerr-Grant. |
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Vanessa Lucas |
"A single smooth dark stone among rough grey rocks on a deserted beach in Tasmania suggested the form of these jugs and the dark satin glaze. The jug series has emerged with variations from the primary immutable form, each descending shape seeming to fall naturally from the largest vessel." - Vanessa Lucas. |
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Tracy Muirhead
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"Utensils have been used by man for millennia. They are useful, practical objects, but the use of tools and utensils is not unique to humans; in fact gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants and birds have been observed using stones, twigs and bone shards to help obtain a desired object or substance. Today, we regard table manners and the ability to wield cutlery as a mark of sophistication.This series of utensils removes all pretension of sophistication in that they are basic, verging on crude, yet as a group, make an elegant statement where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts." - Tracy Muirhead. |
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Christopher Headley |
"Forgotten Worlds responds to memory and emotion. The intention of the work is to allow the viewer time to reflect on the past. Guided by the rich assembly of images that create a history - the broken fine china plate, the idealised view of nature and the dream of flight. Such histories are recorded and projected into present time and we connect with them through our emotions - such as melancholy. Melancholy is thus evoked in the context of quiet reflection, evoking memories of both happiness and sadness." - Christopher Headley. |
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Paul Wood |
"I begin new work by gleaning op shops, ebay and second-hand shops for unwanted ceramic objects. These are piled into a kiln and fired. Their shape and glazes melt, warp and fuse together into new forms. I am interested that their previous existence in one’s everyday domestic life to their rejection as non-fashionable ‘clutter’ are given a new life and resurrected into small monuments to their past circumstances. Their new rather wilted form expresses the exhaustion of their previous domestic setting. L.N. Fowler is a re-produced Phrenology head lying on its side on a pile of platters. A glass bowl is melted over its head. The leaf imprint on the melted glass bowl becomes like a textile pattern on a cloth head scarf. Gone is the previous brittle and rigid state of the bowl. Now it is fluid and feels light like a piece of muslin cloth. Tucked inside the Phrenology head’s bust are two miniature figurines. In their earlier context they may have seemed innocent and a little banal. Perhaps they sat on a quiet mantel piece. In their new context there is something a little darker coming into play. Looking closely at these two figurines you notice that the male figure has been beheaded. The Fowlers head, previously used for science and now lying on its side on some platters and clothed in a beautiful scarf also alludes to a more sinister narrative. Perhaps a King or Queen has called for its head to be chopped off and served on a platter!" - Paul Wood |
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Brian Keyte |
Humankind has evolved within the natural world. I reason, therefore, that if one can utilise nature’s design rules then the product will rest easy on the human eye that has evolved with it. As the golden mean or phi seems to be what nature uses, each piece is made with this in mind as a guide to structure, with the plastic nature of the clay and the intended glaze contributing to the final form. I constantly work with the ratios of a form’s elements in mind. Thus much of my work could perhaps be classed as an engineered structure. The calculated rhythm of a wave formed rim, and the careful forming of a bowl shape coming close to perhaps a sine wave, a catenary or parabolic curve. Some may see these forms as clinical in their calculated aesthetic, but they are informed by nature as the mathematics behind them is simply the mathematics that falls out of the natural world when we study it. It is the Cartesian mathematics of Descartes, Newton, Venturi and others who simply observed nature in fine detail and sought to explain it in the language of numbers. With an understanding of these rules and a piece constructed to them, I can then break those rules to move beyond this clinical thoughtful foundation and add creative flair unbounded by them. |
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Robyne Latham
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The mystique of saggar firing is captivating. The process is complex from beginning to end, from wedging the clay to firing the work. It invariably requires the artist to juggle the potential of intuition with the whisper of serendipity. The inevitable and unavoidable flip-side of this magic, due to the very nature of the firing, is the possibility of a disaster. Frequently, one can open the kiln to find hours of work have literally ‘gone up in smoke’. This necessitates the artist to develop a sound and philosophical resilience to the loss of works. Works which do endure a saggar firing however, emit a unique quality, borne of the coalescence of earth, fire, water, air and space. This unique quality can challenge the construct of time. With curiosity one can ask, “Could this work have been created last week or a century ago?” The works, Kick’n Goals and Strange Fruit address timeless themes of the human condition. Both works explore the co-existence of beauty with ugliness, and grace with trauma. On one hand humans can create a sculpture, a garden or a symphony of such beauty, and concurrently such violence and destruction. There exists a synergy between the unique quality of saggar fired work, the intent of challenging the construct of time and the exploration of universal themes. |
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Tina Lee |
"After collecting ceramics for 10 years I have become interested in the ceramic objects that people do not collect. The objects discarded or rejected and existing on the periphery of good taste. My current body of work juxtaposes elements of the highly sought after collectable with elements of the undesirable object relegated to the junk pile. The small ceramic vase in the opportunity shop that no one ever buys has become an object of focus. I decided to call a forlorn, common 1950s vase, Karen. Like the vinyl LP’s of Tijuana Brass, Kamahl and Karen Knowles, she is always available. She is usually two dollars. She is dependable. The slip cast shell that is covered in a dry textured glaze characterizes Karen. She is one of probably thousands cast so many times the relief decoration is hardly legible. In the ceramic world, Karen competes with the handcrafted, the one-off, the authentic, and the unique collectable object. In the hierarchy between the handmade and the slip cast multiple, she remains at the bottom. But that is what is appealing about her. After living with her for a while, her simple ordinariness begins to grow on you. The psychology of the mass produced is comforting to us because it’s everywhere—past and present." - Tina Lee. The Karens' is permanently displayed above the entrance to Manningham Art Gallery. |
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Vipoo Srivilasa |
"Child’s Play is a piece from the series Bloody Bangkok. This series is a response to the red shirt and yellow shirt protests that have occurred in recent years." - Vipoo Srivilasa |
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Michael Doolan |
"My work, inspired by popular culture and finding expression in a 'world of the toy' de- and re-construct childhood imagery. They engage the viewer with this world. Intentionally set up to be viewed through the eyes of an adult while still allowing us to participate childlike, in this 'world of the toy'. My aim is to capture and reveal the invisible, hidden qualities of the miniature. Their featureless countenance employed to subvert “my” subject’s visually-friendly nature. A major feature of these works is their high gloss reflective finish. This mirror-like finish will force the viewer to engage with the work as an active and intimate participator, so they observe themselves as a distorted reflection. There is an intention with this work to question the way we perceive ourselves in the world, in this case, my world of the toy, around them." - Michael Doolan. |
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Tim Clarkson |
"Long intrigued with the art of origami, this work reflects ceramic sculptures based on typical origami forms. The forms are then used as canvases in which current issues that we are facing in the world today are expressed. Whilst researching origami, the crane was used as a starting point. Although this form is one of the most commonly known origami folds in the world, it was the history behind the origami crane that made it the perfect subject matter. The crane is strong, graceful and beautiful, and is a symbol of loyalty and honour. Each year thousands of paper cranes are folded around the world as ways of promoting peace, making friends and also honouring those whose lives were destroyed in the bombing of Hiroshima. By using the ceramic medium, the forms are created and imitate the paper qualities of origami, whilst also giving the work a more permanent existence. From the sharp angular lines to the crisp paper folds, all elements of the paper crane are recreated to symbolise the precision and geometrical forms found in the art of origami. With the use of custom decals, the newspaper print further adds to the illusion of paper. Almost 60 years on we are still faced with the threat of nuclear attacks, with the rise of civil restlessness in the Middle East testifying to this. With reference to the Hiroshima bombing the work connects the past with the future reminding us that history has a way of repeating itself." - Tim Clarkson. |
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Ann-Maree Gentile |
"When I was growing up Manningham was a road, a road that lead to my Nonna and Pop’s, Aunties and Uncles and the Doncaster Baths. Now it’s a municipality. For a very long time Doncaster was my world. I lived there, went to kinder and school there and all my friends did too. The landscape, places and people of Doncaster inhabit many nooks and crannies in the memory section of my brain. I have taken this opportunity to explore some of my childhood memories, there is nothing earth shattering in fact it makes me wonder how some of these memories are so vivid while others have just faded away. Sometimes when we speak of these times people ask how do you remember something so obscure and when they talk I wonder if I was really there. Long live the joy of finding a plastic toy in cereal box and the strange machinations of memory." - Ann-Maree Gentile. |
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Victor Greenaway |
"The strength of my work is in the ability to create spontaneity in each piece during the session on the potter's wheel. As a brush or chisel is the tool of a painter or sculptor, so too is the wheel mine. The dynamics are created through light and shade, modelled through the use of indentations and various surfaces and colours. The translucency of the porcelain contributes to this by passing light through thin linear markings and fine edges. As in a quick sketch or abstraction the outcome relies on experience, intuition and a confidence in technique. Often the result is uncertain and the work lost or discarded but the journey is an exciting one and constantly rewarding. I look for glaze surfaces to enhance the form and lines by creating light and shade, adding dynamic energy to the piece. I often find glossy glazes to be too distracting so tend to select glazes that are more satin or matt. I also produce work that follows the specialist techniques of the black Etruscan bucchero firings. It provides a beautiful and appealing contrast to the high-fired, pure white of the Limoges porcelain." - Victor Greenaway. |
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Wendy Jagger |
"Surrounded by the beautiful and sometimes austere alpine environment of Victoria’s North East, my work is strongly influenced by its seasonal landscapes. Field drawings are developed in the studio in a range of painting media or depicted in translucent porcelain imagery. Working with Southern Ice porcelain, etching the imagery, layer by layer into the thrown walls of the vessel is painstaking and fraught with danger. At any moment, the bone dry clay could shatter, as I rub away at the shellac resist, eroding the surface. Yet it is exciting. It’s like painting with light. It’s like a treasure hunt, as I search for that luminous translucency. It is a quest of passion. Firewheel came about when a shadow play of light cast dancing botanical patterns on the wall one afternoon. Different densities of light passed through the growth of the native shrubs outside the window. Firewheel has been delicately double etched, on the interior and exterior of the form to recreate this shadow play." - Wendy Jagger. |
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Irianna Kanellopoulou |
"In the piece Dreamscape different images of automobiles are fused together to represent the car as an important icon of desire as well as an embodiment of our personas, dreams & sexuality. I use a combination of handbuilding and slipcasting techniques, exploring the sculptural and plastic qualities of clay in a contemporary context. Working with modules and different components allows relationships between forms to develop, investigating the life of an object outside of its initial intent and purpose. I seek to merge traditional hand crafted ceramic techniques with industrial methods and processes to achieve a fusion of techniques. The integration of these contrasting elements is an essential aspect of my artwork and enables me to continue to explore and push the boundaries of my artistic practice." - Irianna Kanellopoulou, 2009. |
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Sally Lee
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Sally uses translucent porcelain for her work as she appreciates its fine texture and the way it provides for the passage of light through the form. She also enjoys the challenge of working with such a technically challenging medium. The technique of combining pattern, colour and design within the body of the vessel itself is her particular enthusiasm. In the union of luminosity, pattern and structure Sally is seeking to create an ideal of beauty inspired by nature. Her soft muted colours and designs take inspiration from anything from a simple rock, flower, a butterfly, fish or feather to the colours and forms of the Australian landscape. The irregular forms reflect the accidental deviations and variations often found in nature. Sally's pieces are exquisitely delicate and are not glazed as she feels that the subtlety of the forms can be better appreciated this way. The vessels are instead simply polished both before and after the final firing. |
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Mary-Lou Pittard |
"Clay allows me to use many processors when forming my work. I enjoy the transformation from the soft pliable state through to the hard durable finish. I often push its bounders to see what I can produce sometimes to no avail but still find myself back the next day exploring again. Once the piece is made its shape often dictates the decorative elements. With every year my decoration seems to become more intricate. My love for food and cooking has always played a big part in my creating process. Ideas in the studio or dishes in the kitchen are inspired by the mood or flavour of the day. Like cooking I start with traditional ingredients but end up with something new and exciting. Mass production never interested me as a student, I never wanted to let go of the imperfections of the hand made object. Years ago I came across an unusual ceramic object in a Regional Gallery. It was titled “Asparagus Dipping Bowl ‘It was made especially for dipping asparagus I loved it. I also have a book on Victorian household goods that is full of obscure and extravagant objects. I enjoy combining elements of a ceramics tradition with my own artistic desires. They play on the functional decorative side, to use or not to use, ‘Breakfast Tray’ is for those lazy mornings to use out on the veranda or enjoyed displayed on the sideboard." - Mary-Lou Pittard. |
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