In Our Gallery with Ariella Anderson
A passion for creating with clay and natural elements led Ariella Anderson to shape her piece, Still Alive.
How long have you been an artist and how did you get started?
My love for the desert inspired me to pursue a lifelong career in ceramics, in a continual effort to celebrate the unique characteristic of clay.
I have been working with clay for over 25 years and my ceramic work is always shaped and influenced by the landscape around me.
Tell us about your artwork displayed by Bundaberg Regional Galleries as part of the Here + Now exhibition?
The transition to a life by the sea here at Bargara has been a renewed source of inspiration and a driving force in my current practice.
Being constantly immersed in nature has given me peace and joy, alongside a new sense of discovery and appreciation for simple, precious objects.
What was the inspiration behind this piece?
Things like seed pods of palm trees, with their cascading necklace-like strands.
In this ceramic work for the Here + Now exhibition I wanted to capture the gracefulness of their dance-like movement, using seed pod strands to imprint the clay while still raw.
The work was then raku-fired using an aqua-coloured glaze, further resonating the notion of place.
What are some of your artistic highlights?
My ceramic murals have been commissioned by Shalom College. “Saint Mary MacKillop” mural on the purple wall and “Shalom Welcome Shield” at the entrance of Shalom College offices on the red wall.
This experience with Shalom College yielded further commissions for religious artwork with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Bundaberg and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Childers.
I am very proud to have completed in public spaces for young minds to explore and enjoy.
What advice would you give to others who are just beginning to explore art?
Any expression through art is beneficial, there’s no right or wrong way to interact with art.
I encourage all, regardless of age, to have a go and enjoy the freedom and enjoyment that comes with art making.
Previous In Our Gallery: Wendy Francis
Built with Shorthand
