Graham Ambrose
John Crawford
Hana Rakena

24 November - 15 December 2006

Drawn up from the earth, moulded, shaped and then fired at searing temperatures, the art of ceramic making is an ancient practice which stretches back thousands of years. Over time individual artists and entire cultures have contributed new techniques, styles and forms which have enriched the sculptural vocabulary and ensured its presence and continuing vitality.
Three respected contemporary New Zealand ceramic artists - Graham Ambrose, John Crawford and Hana Rakena - have come together at Gallery Thirty Three for Fired Earth. Their work is a celebration of innovative ceramic practice which encompasses new forms, shapes, techniques and embellishments.

Auckland-based ceramic artist Graham Ambrose creates deceptively simple yet technically challenging pieces which display the dual influences of modernism and a background in design. The unadorned forms which embody a minimalist beauty are bathed in lush, vivid earthenware glazes such as bold reds and oranges. These elegant pieces are made from stoneware clay with grog (pre-fired and ground up clay) added to give strength to the larger works.
Ambrose has exhibited regularly over the past ten years, nationally and internationally, and his work is held in major collections both public and private.

Ceramic artist John Crawford is becoming equally known for his works on paper of which one, Red Bowl is included in Fired Earth. Strong and monumental, his ceramic works are hand-coiled, adorned with black line drawings executed in a consciously naïve style and coated in a slip glaze. The drawings trace memories of childhood, relationships and carry strong associations of place, in particular the wildness of the West Coast of the South Island.
Crawford established his own studio in partnership with Anne Crawford over twenty years ago and has participated in exhibitions nationally and overseas in Munich and most recently in Hong Kong.

In addition to the clay which provides the raw material for her work, ceramicist Hana Rakena draws inspiration from that which is nurtured by the earth such as plants, and materials that come from the earth and sea such as stones and shells. Culturally speaking, Maori weaving and ancient pottery also provide her with that spark of inspiration which she melds to create elegant stylised forms with heavily textured surfaces. The pieces are coiled and pinched by hand then refined by scraping back before being bisque fired, covered in a fine clay slip and then gas fired.
Rakena is a celebrated young ceramic artist who has already participated in major group and solo shows at galleries in Auckland, Christchurch and Melbourne.

For further images and information on the artists click on the links below:

Graham Ambrose

John Crawford

Hana Rakena