The Crafters' Way 95 - Julie Shepherd

Here is this week's Messenger article.

The Redland Art Gallery is currently exhibiting White Treasure, an exhibition by Julie Shepherd. White Treasure is inspired by Julie’s experiences of Chinese Culture during her recent International Artist Residency at San Bao Ceramic Art Institute in Jingdezhen, China.
Julie has a background of creating functional pottery as a hobby for 20 years while living in Central Queensland. After moving to Brisbane she completed the Advance Diploma of Art (Ceramics) at the Southbank Institute of TAFE in 1999 and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art in 2006 at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University.

Before her Residency in China Julie’s signature work was very fine white pierced porcelain. You can view some of these pieces at the Gallery. Julie’s current work reflects the influences of the Chinese environment. Julie states that “Texture Bowls in the image were inspired by the numerous textures in the environment both natural and manmade. Everywhere I went there were piles of bamboo or wood or bricks. Rice drying on the side of the road, the fields of rice which had a different pattern each day as it was being hand harvested while I was there.” Julie believes the most exciting change in her work is the is the use of beautiful deep blue porcelain which is coloured with cobalt oxide. The contrast between the blue and white fine translucent porcelain is very striking with lots of different textures carved into the surfaces of the vessels.

White Treasure is on exhibition at the Redland Gallery until the 14th of June, however if you miss it there Julie will have some work at Fusions Gallery from the 3rd - 20th June 2009. Fusions Gallery is on the corner of Brunswick St and Malt St, Fortitude Valley.

You can also see Julie’s work at the Musuem of Brisbane Store, City Hall, Artisan, Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley or Ardleigh Cleveland Gallery, Hyatt Regency, Coolum.

Redland Art Gallery is at Cleveland, a short hop, skip and jump over the Gateway. Photos Courtesy of Artist.

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