My name is Cathy Hicks
and I work from my
Blackbird Ceramics studio
in Blackheath.
Over the past 30 years, I have developed my ceramics practice through lessons and workshops with individual potters in both Australia and overseas, as well as short courses at TAFE NSW.
I work mainly in the midfire range, and have found Keanes clays to be the most reliable in terms of colour, consistency and firing temperatures. Mid-Fire Lumina is a wonderfully smooth and buttery clay to work with, and its texture and sheen at Cone 5/6 means that I often don’t choose to glaze the outside of my pots.
The new Red Earth clay has been an exciting find: I love the deep red pungency of the fired product, and its combination with various glaze options is still a source of experimentation and development.
The generosity and containment of the bowl shape is a particular pleasure for me:
I believe strongly that nourishment and sustenance are enhanced when food is served in bowls made with the same care and attention as the meal itself.
In fact, the experience of using the things I’ve made – whether that’s the jam on my toast, or the vase that holds my roses – is a source of great warmth and satisfaction.
Life slows down to a peaceful pace when I’m making stuff.
Friday, 19 April 2024 - Sunday, 9 June 2024
Manly Art Gallery & Museum, 1a West Esplanade MANLY NSW 2095
An Australian Ceramics Association members exhibition presented with Manly Art Gallery & Museum.
Accompanying TABLED at Manly Art Gallery & Museum (MAG&M), HELD continues the exploration into what nourishes us.
HELD as a thematic continues the opportunity for functional tableware to be exhibited within the gallery space, alongside sculptural works that respond to the narrative of the title.
Official opening Friday 3 May, 6-8pm.
This exhibition will showcase the diversity and excellence of contemporary Australian ceramics providing 90 TACA members with an opportunity to exhibit, promote and sell their recent work.
Presented on one continuous shelf around the Manly Art Gallery & Museum’s Rubbo Gallery, HELD will feature 90 small artworks by TACA members.
The depth and width of each piece will be 15 x 15cm or less, and can be up to 40 cms in height. The work can be any utilitarian or sculptural item that lends itself functionally or narratively to the exhibition title. HELD; carry, bear, clasp, embrace, hold on to.
As both a verb and a past tense HELD may refer to the experience of holding an object (physically and emotionally) or the way in which a memory is manifested. This duality invites both functional and experimental works to be exhibited.
australianceramics.com
Sunday, 1st September 2024
The coal loader centre for sustainability
2 balls head drive waverton, 2060
9am - 3pm
'Meet the Makers' at one of Sydney's best artisans markets.
This sustainable and unique market is held four times a year, on the first Sunday of the season at the beautiful historic site of the Coal Loader.
Stalls display and sell art, ceramics, basketry, eco products, fashion, jewellery, textiles, food, children's design and much more.
Coal Loader artisans market
friday 4 october – monday 7 october 2024
Leura gardens, blue mountains
Situated in the beautiful Blue Mountains 100 kms west of Sydney, the cool climate gardens of Leura are famous for their magnificent displays of azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, camellias and other exotics, as well as flowering annuals, perennials and bulbs.
The blaze of springtime colour in the gardens attracts visitors from all parts of Australia and overseas.
There are large and small gardens in the Festival and each garden has its own distinctive character.
leuragardensfestival.com
Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 december, 10am – 4pm
tunnel 1, the coal loader centre for sustainability
2 balls head drive, waverton
The expo has again been carefully coordinated to work in conjunction with the popular, quarterly Coal Loader Artisans Market, but will be held in the atmospheric and renovated coal loading tunnels below the Centre known as Tunnel 1.
The inaugural event at this unique venue last year was a great success, so it is hoped for it to be bigger and even better in 2023.
Melbourne potters have been participating in an event like this for over 20 years on the banks of the Yarra River at Warrandyte, and it has now become a much anticipated and established part of the annual Arts Calendar in Victoria, with over 80 participating potters.
All participating potters are making and creating in Australia - many of them have their own studios.
There are some stunning, very talented and highly skilled potters and ceramicists in this country, this is your chance to see and buy their work and "meet the makers" all in one place.
Over 100 other craft stallholders will be participating on the Coal Loader Platform and in the Centre itself on Sunday 3rd.
livingclayaustralia.com.au