Artists: Pie Bolton (VIC), Veronica Cay (QLD), Vicki Grima (NSW), Stephanie James-Manttan (SA), Nicolette Johnson (QLD), Yen Yen Lo (VIC), Jackie Masters (WA), Pru Morrison (QLD), Julie Pennington (ACT), Ulrica Trulsson (QLD), Larissa Warren (QLD), and Sarah Zalewski (QLD)

Curated by artist and researcher Larissa Warren, SHIFTING GROUND delves into the rich history of women potters from Tamborine Mountain, Queensland. It features a dynamic selection of artworks by twelve contemporary Australian artists, alongside a poignant collection of historical pieces by pioneering women potters from the region. All artworks are made from Tamborine Mountain’s native volcanic clays, showcasing the enduring legacy of this craft and highlighting the deep connection between place, material, and tradition.

The project was initially called Wild Women, Wild Clay in which Larissa was inspired to connect with female artists she admired. She shared her research and the native Tamborine Mountain clays with them, and each responded to the different geographical, historical, social and creative aspects of her project in fresh and inspired ways, bringing a contemporary perspective to this captivating story while honouring the women who helped shape it: Frances Carnegie, Doris Aagaard, and Joyce and Isobel Morris.

SHIFTING GROUND
2 August to 11 October 2025
The Centre, 82 Brisbane St, Beaudesert QLD 4285
Tues to Fri, 10am to 4pm; Sat 10am to 2pm

This exhibition will tour QLD, NSW, WA & TAS until January 2029.
More info about the exhibition HERE.

Shifting Ground is a touring exhibition curated by Larissa Warren and presented in partnership with Scenic Rim Regional Council and Museums & Galleries Queensland. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program. Museums & Galleries Queensland is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Below, L to R: the coloured clays of Tamborine Mountain; the making of the brooches; the finished brooches Far below: Lidded Vessel 1, 2, 3; 2022; Eagles Close, Red Retreat and Hillside clays, 10 x 7.5cms

I learned of these natural Tamborine Mountain clays when Larissa Warren submitted her research to me as Editor of The Journal of Australian Ceramics. The local Tamborine Mountain women potters in the 1940s were tenacious and inventive as they lived a creative life using local materials. Larissa later invited me to make work with these local clays.

My work is inspired by local coastal landscapes where I take photos and collect shells, pebbles and worn sticks. The diversely-coloured clay bodies enabled me to build up rich surfaces on my work by overlaying and scraping back layers. The boulder forms and brooches are inspired by the strata lines in the cliffs, the weathered rock pools and the local flora.