*To be is to be perceived - George Berkeley

Craft NSW hosted sculptures by Natalie Fong from Strathfield Girls High School and Andrew Arena from Cecil Hills High School.

And their work could not have been more different - Andrew's slightly disturbing paper clay amputated arms and Natalie's decorative, bling-like wire commentary on fashion trends. Not surprisingly, both attracted lots of interest.

Natalie was introduced to wire work a few years ago and found that it gave her the freedom to explore the effect of space in art while allowing her to 'incorporate meaning into the miniature'.

Paying close attention to the 'aesthetics of wearables', she starts with a basic frame and adds detailed pieces to form a 'skin' or patterned surface incorporating many techniques to manipulate the wire.

Her sculpture, 'You talk the talk but can you walk the walk?' shows her interest in both fashion design and visual arts. Each pair of shoes is an

interpretation of her generation's trends in self expression.

Natalie is now in the first year of a Visual Arts degree and hopes to create jewellery that can 'be appreciated as a work of art'.

In contrast, Andrew's sculpture, 'Esse est Percipi' *, is concerned with the nature of reality.

As he puts it: 'Truth is only known through our own subjective psyche. An object cannot be, but rather be perceived. Objective reality is dismantled, as we cannot know truth or reality, but rather experience and interpret it for ourselves.... thus realism versus abstraction is fundamental to this piece.'

Andrew found that sculpting in clay came naturally to him even as he struggled with it's delicacy. He is pursuing a psychology degree.

The craftsmanship of Natalie's wire pieces and the power of Andrew's paper clay belie their youth and relative inexperience and we look forward to what they might create in the future.

A group of ceramicists in the north coast of NSW felt the need to network with colleagues, access expertise and increase technical skill levels (and have some fun along the way) and in 2003 formed Coastal ClayMakers.

Today, with over 50 members and access to the world-class facilities of the Ceramics Department at Coffs Harbour

1. Lisa Magri 'Trullo Duo'

2. Shirley Stubington 'Vessels'

3. Ann Streckfuss 'Reflection'

4. Debora Grigg Hawkes 'Reflection'

5. Annette Copland 'Leaf Bowl'

6. Phillip Greed, 'untitled'

7. Sally Hooke 'China Girl in a Chair'

Past presenters include notables Peter Rushforth, Melina Monks, Marea Gazzard, Geoff Maddams, David Tucker, Mitsuo Shoji and Jane Annois.

Upcoming workshops in May include Paul Davis and Jaqui Clayton (see our calendar of events).

Coastal ClayMakers have an extensive website at: www.coastalclaymakers.com.au

Greg Sugden ceramics

When I was in high school, I read an essay that affected the rest of my life. The essay: The Superannuated Man was penned by Charles Lamb in 1825. The first sentence tells it all: 'If peradventure, Reader, it has been thy lot to waste the golden years of thy life - thy shining youth - in the irksome confinement of an office...'

After prolonging my tertiary studies and following a brief stint as a superannuated man at the patent office, I have my wife, Merrie Hamilton, to thank (or blame) for introducing me to an alternative way to make a living - ceramics.

For over 30 years now, I have made my living as a craftperson. It has been most rewarding in terms of giving

me something interesting to do each day while I explore the medium and gives vent to the urge I have to create. It has also meant that I have the sense that my life and my time are my own. For me, that is most important.

A problem with being a professional craftsperson is that of maintaining outlets, as galleries come and go. We solved this problem 17 years ago by opening our own studio/gallery in Braidwood. It allows me the freedom to make what I want and to engage with my customers.

Few people are rich in both time and money until of course they become superannuated by which time their shining youth is long behind them.

Greg Sugden www.sugdenhamilton.com

1. Heather Calnan enamel

2. Wendy Cartwright woven wrap

3. Geoff Davis braided belt

4. Grace Levis ceramic/glass necklace, dress

5. Greg Sugden 'Tiger Moth' ceramic

Since having my daughter 4 years ago (life changing experience at my age!!) I found it 'tricky' to continue painting or doing pottery (messy with a toddler).

Once I was introduced to merino fleece and the process of wet felting it was love at first touch and sight. I can now create unique items in stunning, bright colours or muted pastels without the mess of paint. And I can mould the wet fleece to any shape without the mess of muddy clay or the hassle and cost of firing. It is extremely fulfilling and family friendly! I do felting with a wonderful group of women (Butterfly Felt) here on the Central Coast. I love it!

... I have tutored and mentored art at assorted establishments. I have dabbled in all creative outlets over the years and now am a fanatic felter... bags, berets, wraps, scarves, etc... love this medium!

Cherry Steele www.cherryart.com.au

Ally models 'Sea Pod' felted wrap, merino wool

To craft is to create. To craft is the will to act and obtain results through the interaction of ideas and materials.

Just as one uses notation for music, or words to stylise text, the wondrous feature of crafting is personal direction and individual approach.

To craft is to physically bring thoughts into existence, and glass is just one medium that allows me this process. Using an explorative, hands-on approach that is

'Using the creative impulse as a tool, we work in our own small way to shape the world in a positive direction, and in the process, participate in its destiny.'

Oppi Untracht

developing with time, I am able to work the material and apply my thoughts by means of coloured glazes and kiln forming techniques. The search for resolution by honing and shaping my ideas is an addiction, an obsession and a passion.

'Why bother' when for example a glass bowl can be purchased from the 'two dollar shop' and is viewed as an object and form in its own right? It is likely though, to be produced with the precision of a machine and repeated in multitude.

In contrast, each glass bowl that is individually crafted, will address equivalent contextual considerations such as shape and form, light and colour and inherent qualities of transparency, translucency and opacity. The distinction for me is the hand crafted bowl is a one-of-a-kind, original and unique, as is the creation of the act of its crafting.

1. Pat Hayward soneware clay with vitrified slips and crackle glazes

2. Margaret Ramsey layered and fused sheet glass

3. Carolyn Cabena nylon & metallic fabric, black resist dye, shibori

4. Christine Ball high fired stoneware

5. Gaspar Del Rey moulded cowhide leather mask, pigskin lining

Grace Levis wool felted wrap
Rosanne Antico-Hall acrylic bangles

Latest work in fibre, glass and jewellery by artists Grace Levis, Margaret Ramsey and Rosanne Antico-Hall.

When 29 March to 11 April, 2010

Where Craft NSW 104 George Street The Rocks Sydney 2000

Information www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/exhibitions.htm

Heidi Francis 'Dovercotes' - recollections of France in handbuilt paper clay

The wonderfully coloured world of handpainted silks by Jane Hinde, the ceramics of Heidi Francis, fine jewellery of Margaret Conway and the embroidery of Christine Molesworth.

When 12 April to 25 April, 2010

Where Craft NSW 104 George Street The Rocks Sydney 2000

Information www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/exhibitions.htm

Glen Doyle 'Cockatoo' wirework sculpture

Sculptural influences on craft with a broad spectrum of Society members working in three dimensions: glass bowls, basketry objects, timber vessels, ceramic containers.

When 27th April to 4th July, 2010

Where Craft NSW 104 George Street The Rocks Sydney 2000

Information www.artsandcraftsnsw.com.au/exhibitions.htm