Craft / Connecting Through Clay. At Watson Arts Centre. Reviewed by MEREDITH HINCHLIFFE.

This exhibition marks a significant milestone for the Canberra Potters Society which was established in 1975.

Over the past 50 years the society has moved from having classes in one room with just 14 participants to having numerous classes for adults and children. It holds regular exhibitions and has a strong program of visiting artists in residence – both national and international.

The exhibition features early works from the 14 honorary life members and from many of the visitors.

At the entry to the exhibition is a large, multi-piece dinner service by Doug Alexander. Alexander was an honorary member and supported the small group who began the society. Perhaps the dinner service is a little dated, but it shows the breadth of his practice in functional, domestic ware.

As you progress through the exhibition, familiar names and perhaps forms and glazes strike your eye.

Maryke Henderson is showing a set of three small pourers, with long, elegant spouts that sit on their own plinth. The surface decoration is minimal, and marries perfectly with the forms: the fine, elongated spouts wander away from the bodies, like an errant twig.

Merrie Hamilton and Greg Sugden are represented by a platter, which is typical of their work. The surface decoration is colourful, the form is angular and irregular.

Artist in Residence, Peter Scherzer from the US, is represented by a pair of elegant ewers from 2018, in soda-fired stoneware, which is warm and haptic.

Irene Arthurson was making the finest porcelain bowls in 1980. This material was not as popular among members of community groups as it is now. The tiny, fragile forms are in pale glazes and must have been surprising at the time.

Ian Hodgson, who came to ceramics later in his life, was a wood-firer. He is represented by three vessels accompanied by a moving tribute, who made a major contribution to the society.

Another member who continues to be very involved in the organisation Judy McDonald, is represented by two tall, flattened dry glaze forms with blue green glaze.

Christine Pearson was an early administrator of classes at the society and she made simple, functional objects such as teapots, cups and saucers, and bowls. She also made simple vase forms with striking decoration. Pearson is still working in clay, and is represented by Chainstitch, a soda-fired work, from 2018.

David Ray, from Victoria, is showing a work titled Boat People from 2018. It is whimsical, satirical, and hits a powerful punch while reminding viewers of all the important and good things that migrants to Australia bring to our society.

This is an important exhibition and reminds us that community spirit in Canberra was – and still is – strong and contributes much to the richness of our lives. These pots represent some of the people who helped make the Canberra Potters Society.

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