Generation Clay: Reimagining Asian Heritage is an exhibition celebrating the vibrant versatility of clay, by a new generation of Asian-Australian contemporary artists.
Curated by Vipoo Srivilasa an award-winning contemporary artist, and curator; he invited fourteen artists from across Australia to create a new work using a palette of predominately blue and white. These works re-imagine cultural expectations, presenting a fresh perspective within a traditional colour palette and form.
Blue and white ceramics have a long and complex history tracing back centuries from early Islamic and Chinese wares. Together, these artists are redefining traditional and ceramic forms to reflect their personal histories and memories, cultural heritage, and family tied to mythological and popular culture narratives.
The artists include: Armie Sungvaribud (TAS), Asahi So (NSW), Casey Chen (NSW), Dai Li (Qld), EJ Son (NSW), Jayanto Tan (NSW), Mai Nguyễn-Long (NSW), Monica Rani Rudhar (NSW), Nani Puspasari (VIC), Theodosius Ng (VIC), Yang Qiu (NSW), Yen Yen Lo (VIC), Yoko Ozawa (VIC) and Zhu Ohmu (VIC).
At the centre of the exhibition is ‘The Bloom Room’ a special making area where exhibition visitors can participate in a range of changing monthly activities, from hand-crafting origami flowers and tiny clay objects, to sharing stories, ‘The Bloom Room’ is a space to create, connect and collaborate with the artworks and artists featured in Generation Clay.
The colour blue is also a unifying feature of the exhibition’s design, alluding to the wider discourses of blue and white patterning, it’s connections to global movement and its reinterpretation and translation through form and motif over time.
‘’I have brought together some of the most exciting ceramic talent and together we are creating, what I believe, is a first-of-its-kind exhibition – Asian Australian ceramicists interpreting the blue and white palette in new ways,” Vipoo Srivilasa said
“I have also worked with the Asian diaspora on the exhibition design, construction, writing and photography of the show,’ Vipoo said.
‘’The works, along with the participatory nature of the exhibition is something that I’m very proud of.’’
Generation Clay: Reimagining Asian Heritage, 3 Aug – 24 Nov 2024 at Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren. www.bunjilplace.com.au
