Frances Rogers, Chain Series, 2019, Raku clay, 12 piece set, multiple dimensions, Photographer: Sebastian Vivian
September 4 - 27, 2020
Opening event: Friday, September 11, 5:30-7:30pm
Artist talk: Friday, September 25, 5:20pm-6:30pm
Future Fossils is a new solo exhibition by ceramicist Frances Rogers. Within this body of work Frances explores a sensory connection to earth, asking the audience to consider the materiality of clay through sound and touch, as well as the formal qualities produced through sculptural shapes. The relationship between the human body and the material world are at the core of Frances’ practice. Central to this is her own exploration of process, which emphasises intuition and the sensory. Within her practice there is a temporal tension between the ancient (clay earth, primitive memory) and the contemporary (formal considerations and sculptural practice). Frances brings the audience’s attention to aspects of our contemporary urban environments which can block our access and connection to nature.
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This ceramic body of work is a material exploration of how shelter and architecture affect our wellbeing and sense of identity. The acceptance of impermanence and potential fragility of our security within the ever changing environment. I aim to draw focus upon human processes, sensitivity to our natural surroundings, and the importance of vernacular materials within our built environment. Our urban landscape is rapidly changing with the expansion of fast fabricated structures, lacking natural 'living' materials, which are void of evidence of manual process. The grey concrete boxes, spreading across the urban landscape.
The chain series was made using Raku clay links and a repetitive manual process of connecting circular forms, playing with the malleability and strength of clay, each link supporting the next. These objects go beyond three dimensional; they are adaptable, rearrangeable, textured and graspable, naturally scented instruments of percussion. I aim to capture the multi-sensory experience of clay, and the importance of understanding the materials we use to construct our environment.
“Nature itself is public space, not of people but for people as well. Nature needs no art; it is art. when we introduce art into nature, it must be done with great sensitivity." - Herman De Vries.
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Frances Rogers is a sculptural artist intrigued with ceramics and found objects. Her recent work provokes concepts of fragility and impermanence. Within her practice she explores how we relate to the material world and the personification of objects, considering the multi sensual experience of each piece. With an emphasis upon process, Frances believes that the act of making pulls us into the present moment. Her goal is to make artworks that highlight the intrinsic value of vernacular materials and to manipulate our sense of time.
Frances Rogers completed her Bachelor of Contemporary Arts at the University of South Australia in 2019. During her studies she completed a year long study exchange in Spain at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, mentored by Sculptural artist Vicente Orti in 2017.
Frances received the Harry P. Gill memorial medal for her ceramic body of work in the Graduate exhibition ‘IN SITU’ 2019. Her work ‘Chain Series’ was then selected for the Helpmann Academy Graduate exhibition where Frances received the JamFactory Award. She is currently completing a mentorship program with the JamFactory and is an artist in residence at George Street Studios.
Photographer: Daniel Marks