Carolyn Ferguson

feeneys white raku, cesco Aegean blue, walkers stoneware clear glaze, 270mm width x 190mm depth x 240mm height

 Artwork Statement:

Catch and Release explores the connection and disconnection in digital relationships. I have drawn inspiration from the complexities and challenges that individuals face when navigating the shadowy depths of online dating and a play on words with fishing terms. The surface decoration symbolism is an emotional response to pretences and deceptions people use to conceal their identity.  

Masquerading and elusive they fill honest minds with possibilities and promises before swiftly dissolving into the shadowy depths of the indigo ocean. Another ethereal lesson, another broken heart; another catch and release, and another reminder that there are plenty more fish in the sea.

white raku, Japanese tissue transfer, stoneware clear glaze, 130mm width, 90mm depth, 200mm height

Artwork Statement:

The unknown woman who has seen many sunrises is an abstract hollow-form ceramic sculpture that explores the mystery of the unknown identity. Her wrinkled and weathered appearance in the emotive black and white photo that I found in stock photos, warmed my heart and evoked thoughts of tireless hard work, grit and determination. I wanted to adorn her with delicate flowers as surface decoration to celebrate my perception of her life achievements.

I carefully considered the following features.

Forehead: to symbolise wisdom, evident in the deep furrows of wrinkles of wisdom.

Eyes: to symbolise the beauty and battles that she has seen, the joy and optimism she brings which is clearly visible through the laughter lines of wrinkles.

Chin and Mouth: to symbolise spoken words of unconditional love:  

Nose: to symbolise inhaling awareness and the perception of her achievements and the warmth and kindness that radiates from deep within.

white raku, Northcote peacock glaze, 240mm width x 70mm depth x 80mm height  

Artwork Statement:

Glen Innes circa 1921 is a sculptural vase with personal symbolic references that connect the heritage architectural trail and the cottage flowers that are distinctive to the cool temperate zone of the Glen Innes Highlands of regional New South Wales.

photo taken February 2018 by Carolyn Ferguson

walkers stoneware 10 Slip, black underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, eggshell, gold thread, 840mm width x 400mm depth x 115mm height

Artwork Statement:

Measuring Up, is a metaphorical collection of tape measures that represent the constant comparison and evaluating individuals face when navigating digital relationships within online dating platforms. We measure personal values, beliefs, goals, expectations, and consider the complexities and challenges, and how those elements align or impact on individuals.

Creating a collection of six slip cast ceramic moulds of the basic tape measure first, enabled me a platform to modify, manipulate and manifest symbolic sculptural representations of the units of measurement we use to narrate conceptual stories of navigating online relationships.   

walkers stoneware 10 slip, cesco charcoal underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, 320mm width x 100mm depth x 115mm height

Artwork Statement:

Symbolic narrative to explore measuring the only thing that is certain in your life: you, and your inner monologue of believing in and accepting of your own self-worth. Certainty acknowledges your own self-worth and is resolved as a complete and full tape measure.

walkers stoneware 10 slip, cesco charcoal underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, 215mm width x 115mm depth x 70mm height

Artwork Statement:

Symbolic narrative to explore measuring the fundamental beliefs and values that are non-negotiable in a relationship. The importance of a solid foundation is instilled as a non-negotiable when parents offer life skills to children under the guise of engineering skills; they learn with building blocks. Fundamentals are resolved with a Duplo Lego base to build upon.

walkers stoneware 10 slip, cesco charcoal underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, 135mm width x 90mm depth x 100mm height

Artwork Statement:

Symbolic narrative to explore measuring the protection, safety, and vulnerability in a relationship. The importance of kindness, respect and acceptance is inferred. Vulnerability is symbolised in a fragile egg with golden threads of optimism trying to suture the wounds together, but the heartache and exhaustion of rejection still lingers.

walkers stoneware 10 slip, cesco charcoal underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, 135mm width x 65mm depth x 100mm height

Artwork Statement:

Symbolic narrative to explore measuring the boundaries we set to define loyalty and commitment, to define respect and self-worth, and the geographical limits we imply on long distance relationships.

Boundaries are symbolised in the fine charcoal outlines that define all the edges of the tape measure.

walkers stoneware 10 slip, cesco charcoal underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, 170mm width x 90mm depth x 115mm height

Artwork Statement:

Symbolic narrative to explore measuring the illusion of honesty within the digital facade, the hidden truths, and the expectations that veil reality. Lack of Transparency is symbolised with the addition of a masquerade mask over the deceptive tape measure that conceals the truth and avoids complete Transparency.

walkers stoneware 10 slip, cesco charcoal underglaze, stoneware clear glaze, 320mm width x 100mm depth x 115mm height

Artwork Statement:

Symbolic narrative to explore measuring the resilience, thick skin and personal growth that is required to navigate the complexities, challenges, experiences and opportunities to remain optimistic. Optimism is symbolised with the inclusion of a real tape measure (contained with an additional ceramic pocket), that you can extend to match your emotional measurement of hopes and dreams.

chine-colle and ink on Hahnemuhle 300gsm paper, image 220mm x 220mm

Artwork Statement:

Two Lost Souls is a personal reflection exploring the emotional experiences of navigating relationships. The title reflects song lyrics by Pink Floyd, ‘Wish you were here’, we are just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl and applied the metaphor of fish to represent individuals longing for emotional connection but remaining invisible; even though the physical proximity is obvious.  

digital photocopy on 135gsm acid-free kraft paper, derivan block ink, cotton thread, silver sequin, 74mm width x 105mm height

Artwork Statement: 

What to take FISHING – The Ultimate Guide to landing a CATCH emphasizes the patience and resilience required to participate in recreational fishing activities. Parallel narratives are communicated in this instructional and humorous zine. It is intended as a light-hearted guide to share ideas and tips to educate the novice angler. This illustrates hope that you can land a perfect partner.

laser ink and screen print on 220gsm acid-free paper, 408mm width x 578mm height

   Artwork Statement:

Wanted, is a promotional marketing poster advertising the Amazon Best Selling Book (Zine) What to take FISHING - The Ultimate Guide to landing a CATCH. The illusive goldfish is hiding under the disguise of a golden masquerade ball mask.

blind etching on 300gsm Hahnemuhle rag, image 98mm x 98mm

 Artwork Statement:

Ambiguity intertwines the intricate design of the masquerade mask with empty promises exposed as blind colourless prints, and the layers of mystery we wear in society hidden behind sheer Japanese paper Chine-collé.

“He’s watching everything I see”, safety glasses, string, wire, wool, copper wire, duct tape, nails, and modge podge. 26cm x 10cm x 5cm

CONCEPT:

PROTECTION: Coping with Grief; Depression

CONTEXT:

Personal memories, Spiritual connection

OBJECTS AS METAPHOR:

Symbolism through materials of comfort:

Safety glasses: protection, being cared for, reassurance of having my best interests at heart; always watching out for me, looking at life through Dad’s eyes. Trying to be positive and happy. Trying to re-focus

Cypress timber: resilient, sturdy, dependable: 4 x 2 inch

Jute STRING: wheat farming, sewing up bags of wheat;           livelihood of sharefarming around Goondiwindi from 1965

WIRE: TO BIND OUR LOVE TOGETHER, practical, engineering, resourceful, woolshed memories

Wool: comfort, wool industry and golfing colours

Copper wire: mig wire connection, engineering, creative

Duct tape: resourcefulness, fixing things.

“He’s watching everything I see”, safety glasses, string, wire, wool, copper  wire, duct tape, nails, modge podge. 26cm x 10cm x 5cm

goldene metallic crackle, peacock glaze, and pewter on white raku, 30cm W x 13cm D x 15cm H

Ritual:

Watching the full moon rise from the horizon, sitting in the back of my car with the boot open. usually with my children or friends

Object:

Pea reen boat as a vessel to hold the calender

CONCEPT:

PROTECTION; maternal connection, loss, grief, new beginnings

CONTEXT:

Personal memories ; Spiritual connection, cycles of comfort and safety, hope, re-birth 

OBJECTS AS METAPHOR:

Symbolism through materials of comfort:

Pea Green Boat: The Owl & the Pussy Cat , lyrical eternal fantasy of escaping reality

“In a beautiful Pea Green Boat”, goldene metallic crackle, peacock glaze, and pewter on white raku, 30cm W x 13cm D x 15cm H

“In a beautiful Pea Green Boat”, goldene metallic crackle, peacock glaze, and pewter on white raku, 30cm W x 13cm D x 15cm H

“Looked up to the stars above”, white raku, goldene metallic crackle, image on tracing paper, 12cm W x 18cm D x 4.5cm H

Ritual:

Watching the full moon rise from the horizon, sitting in the back of my car with the boot open. usually with my children or friends

Object:

compass

CONCEPT:

PROTECTION, focus,  re-focus, grounding yourself, following a guiding light, re-alignment,  maintain direction

CONTEXT:

Personal memories; Spiritual connection, cycles of comfort and safety, hope, re-birth 

OBJECTS AS METAPHOR:

Symbolism through materials of comfort:

Compass: alignment, direction, facing north, one step at a time, self-help, nostalgia, old-fashioned values, antique brass

“They danced by the light of the moon”, white raku, goldene metallic crackle, peacock glaze, tracing paper,  Boat:30cm W x 13cm D x 15cm H, Compass 12cm x 18cm x 4.5cm

“Looked up to the stars above”, white raku, goldene metallic crackle, image on tracing paper, 12cm W x 18cm D x 4.5cm H

rust effect on white raku, gold thread, mild steel, 119cm H x 83cm W, 90cm D

Artist statement:

“The Ethereal Hitchhiker” serves as a deeply personal exploration of my parents’ struggles with renal failure and the profound grief I endured through the bereavement of them both.

By working with metal and clay, I feel a spiritual connection to my parents and strive to honour the creative passions they have instilled in me.

I juxtapose adornment and decay by carving raku clay with intricate blood vessels and obscuring it with rust to signify the decay of renal failure. I have honoured my father’s welding ability by constructing a robust dragonfly from mild steel and have sewn golden threads of optimism on the ethereal wings to suture the wounds together, but the heartache of their absence still lingers.

rust effect on white raku, gold thread, mild steel, 119cm H x 83cm W, 90cm D

OBJECTS AS METAPHOR:

Personal Symbology through materials of comfort:

2 x dragonfly wings to symbolise dad

2 x kidney wings to symbolise mum & dad renal disease (they both were on peritoneal renal dialysis). I wanted to show the delicate beauty of a kidney cross section, beautify what they both could've had with intricate swirls merging blood vessels with a floral abstraction. All this was obscured underneath the rusty decay patina symbolising kidney failure.

Clay: Mum’s creative interest in clay

Metal sculpture: Dad’s practical and agricultural background

Rust: to symbolise the decay of their kidneys

Gold thread: to symbolise to glimmer of hope of a donated kidney that mum received from a hitchhiker who passed away. This allowed her to represent   Australia and win a silver medal at the 1987 Transplant Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria for golf.

Welded Text on base: they live in you, they live in me, they are watching everything we see—from The Lion King: comfort from grief that my parents are still protecting me.

100 word Artist Statement to summarise Module 4 Artist Identity

“You are closer than you think: 1”, metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 9.5cm x 6.2cm

CONCEPT

The narrative journey I'm symbolically creating through clay represents how I cope with grief by holding onto cherished memories of my mother. I'm incorporating the moon's phases because one of the precious items I associate with my mum is her crescent-shaped gold moon necklace.

L: Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon

metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 8cm  D x 9.5cm H x 10cm

CONCEPT 

I will be hand-building with clay to create a set of mugs to visually narrate the same concept as the Bowls in exercise 1 of how I cope with grief and hold onto cherished memories of my mother. I'm incorporating the moon's phases into the mugs' handles and altering the thickness to express the phases. One of the precious items I associate with my mum is her crescent-shaped gold moon necklace.  

L: Waxing Cresent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon

“Land among the Stars: 1”, metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 24cm x 22cm

CONCEPT:

Spiritual connection

I wanted to create a Functional Jug that links the 6 Moon Bowls and 4 Moon Mugs, and the question I asked myself was… How are you going to get there?”

The Rocket is a metaphorical symbol of the spiritual connection between my Mum, myself, and my children. Mum had an interest in astrology and ceramics. Ben is studying Aerospace Engineering at University, and Zoe is interested in Marine Biology, astrology, and astronomy. All these fields are dependent on the moon, and Marine Biology and gravitational pull from the Moon affect the Ocean and Tides.

I see the ROCKET as a symbol of bravery and success.

3,2,1, Blast-off. It is a motivational mantra to inspire the LAUNCH and enthusiasm to commence a project.

It is also what I say to myself to LAUNCH out of depression that I have experienced through the grief of my parents’ passing.   

“Land among the Stars: 1”, metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 24cm x 22cm

“Land among the Stars: 1”, metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 24cm x 22cm

“Land among the Stars: 2”, metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 24cm x 22cm

“Land among the Stars: 2”, metallic crackle and pewter on white raku, 24cm x 22cm

“He lives in you”, Wool pack, wool, tea leaves, muslin, gold thread, aluminium wire, assorted fillings, 42cm deep x 57cm wide x 27cm high

Watching everything I see, 44 gallon drum lid, welding mask, muslin, gold thread, baking paper, rope, 36cm x 42cm

Watching everything I see, 44 gallon drum lid, welding mask, muslin, gold thread, baking paper, rope, 36cm x 42cm

Module 3: Grid Technique: graphite pencil on cartridge paper, 200 x 280mm.

Module 3: Life Model: black marker on recycled kraft paper, 200 x 297mm.

Module 3: Botanical: ink and coloured pencil on cartridge paper, 275 x 405mm.

Module 1: Erasure Technique: willow charcoal and compressed charcoal on cartridge paper, 270 x 380mm.

Module 1: Gesalt: ink pen and coloured pencil on cartridge paper, 200 x 280mm.

Module 2: Landscape: indian ink, charcoal, conte crayon on cartridge paper, 270 x 190mm.

Module 3: Life Model: graphite pencil, willow charcoal, compressed charcoal, schminke pastel on cartridge paper, 220 x 365mm.

Module 1: Colour Contrast: acrylic on 220gsm cotton rag paper, music sheets, dress-making patterns, 410 X 600mm.

Module 2: Studios Exercise 2: Portrait as suggestive image, acrylic on cartridge paper, 210 x 297mm.

Module 3: Inverting an image. Atelier moulding paste, PVA Glue, Gold spray paint, and gesso on MDF Board. 400 x 610mm.

Module 1: Hand-cut stencilling, spray paint on cartridge paper, 210 x297mm

Module 2: Lino Print

Module 1: Layering and Collage, acrylic on cartridge paper, 200 x 150mm.

Module 2: Dry point etching, 220 x 180mm.

cyanotype, gold thread, waterford saunders 300gsm cotton rag paper, linen. Book cover 160 x 160mm, pages 150 x 1500mm.

We are decorators.

We adorn our bodies clothing possessions and environments

Sometimes we invest great weath in the practice.

Sometimes we use what is at hand.

We plait necklaces of flowers.

We mark our skin with, soot and clay.

We do not do these things casually.

We do not do these things occassionally.

We act like we are pathologically obsessed with decorating and beautifying our lives

Except from Adornment: What Self Decoration tells us about who we are, 2020)

cyanotype print

Cyanotype print, 280 x 200mm

Module 3 : Rotating an image: Posca acrylic pen on Plywood, 400 x 400mm.

collage textured papers. 210 x 150mm.

Warm, Cool and Custom Colour Wheels

Disabilty in the Arts, Inspiring podcast about the importance of accessibility in the Arts Sector

Still Life arrangement

View Finder

Negative Space Still Life

Cyanotype Printing , washing off the cyanotype solution

Colour Schemes: Mixture of Complementary and Analogous colour scheme

VERY INSPIRING: Canadian plasma cutter artist CAL LANE

Gosford, NSW

Moon Crater Egg Omelette

Functional Rocket

No Glad Wrap, dried too fast, restricted in movement when shrinking over the metal bucket and it CRACKED

Cause and Effect 2; Yes, I know it’s a Phillips head bit & not a drill bit….. but I wanted to try my version of the Japanese ceramic technique KINTSUGI and drill holes and stitch up the crack with GOLD THREAD.