Tallulah Eaton Lipman
Randwick Girls High School
ENDANGERED SPECIES OF DELUSION
Ceramics
Underglaze on earthenware clay
Responding to my first-hand experience of the devastation caused by the Black Summer bushfires, and the subsequent regeneration of Australia's south-east coast, my body of work represents the often overlooked, but magical, qualities of our endangered native flora and fauna. Using clay, a material inherently bound to the environment, I hand-built five forms that express aspects of various endangered species. My intent is for audiences to view these animals and plants in a new light, to inspire a sense of awe that results in action to protect our treasured Australian native flora and fauna from extinction.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Jenny Orchard, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran.
Marker's Commentary
This body of work consists of five hand built ceramic forms, of various scales presenting to the audience, as possible guardian figures. This playful yet assertive work, speaks to the audience, asking us to consider our role, in conserving Australian native flora and fauna with authority. The work has been carefully planned and curated, the layout and arrangement of the five figures engage us; they are assertive, standing up to the audience, compelling the viewer to consider their plight. Yet, the qualities communicated via colour, scale, shape and arrangement are soft and vulnerable.
The medium and small-scale ceramic sculptures are vertical, and horizontal in orientation. The three-dimensional figures are somewhat magical, in their dry, impeccably blended pastel surface, with detailed white lace like surface trailing. The soft, sensitive natural muted colour palette selected, may be seen to symbolise the diversity of the Australia landscape, from coastal aquatic environments to harsh dry inland deserts. This, weaves concepts of fragility and diversity into the narrative of this work.
Within this body of work, connections to the practice of Australian Artists Patricia Piccinini and Jenny Orchard may be seen. The practice and influence of Ceramicists, Carol Gouthro and CjJilek come to mind, along with the quirky Surrealist qualities. This body of work has been constructed using coiled, pinched, slabbed and modelled hand building methods, to achieve the variety of high and low relief forms. Underglaze surface treatment appear as being brushed, sponged or sprayed upon the surface, completing this highly accomplished work.