The Dragons Back Exhibition


New work by Park Fulton & Fraser

Opened by Lyn Cole at 6.30 23rd March at Tweed River Art Gallery Regional artists Sue Fraser, Ruth Park and Louise Fulton have been influenced by the cultures of Asia and the Middle East, through travel, residencies and ceramic festivals.
Sue Fraser has made her signature horses as well as gourds. Cobalt blue dragons and symbolic elements are silk-screened and embossed onto the surface of each piece. The first use of cobalt oxide was in the eighth century during the Tang dynasty. The cross-cultural fertilization brought about by overland trade is evident in the decoration and design of blue and white porcelain objects since that time.

In China, horses are symbolic of dragons on earth with dragon energy and dragon speed. Tribute horses from the far reaches of the empire were protected by dragons embroidered onto silk saddle cloths. Only the emperor was allowed on the back of these saddled horses. Each of Sue?s dynamic horses roam amongst clouds of misty glaze protected by the imperial dragon.

Ruth Park?s delicately thrown and carved forms convey simplicity and beauty. Embossed calligraphy on the body of the work is an example of the privileging of writing as one of the pre-eminent Asian arts. Deep pools of jade green glaze form a classic ?reptile scale? effect in her celadon vessels. The monochrome glaze enhances the pure white porcelain body, precisely pared so that the vessel feels as if it is formed of glaze alone.

Ruth?s large scale vessels have applied dragon elements as handles, knobs and spouts. Some works refer to ancient tripod bronze vessels excavated during the 18th century Qing dynasty and the subsequent Manchu?s interest in archaic ritual forms. The moon jar form traditionally symbolizes the full moon, with the beauty of its imperfection. Ruth?s large, sleeping dragon reflects the geology of Wollumbin?s caldera rim. The applied bronze patina again reflects her interest in the surface qualities of archaic bronze metalwork.

Louise Fulton?s wall sculptures have aspects of the East Asian dragon in both physical and metaphorical form. ?Fang? is glazed in auspicious red and covered with embossed symbols based on traditional Chinese water patterns. ?Cloud Catcher? is made in the form of stylized clouds with Chinese cloud patterning over the surface.

Louise?s cauldrons with stirring rods are based on ancient Chinese bronze steaming vessels, the upper part was used for food, the lower for water. The outer surface is reminiscent of weathered copper and inside you can see stenciled dragons, clouds and lightning. The fourth series is ?Elements?, the golden components of the dragon. Each meticulously handmade piece is a meditation point for contemplation of the ritual and the sacrificial.

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