Acclaimed ceramicist Kirsten Coelho will turn locally-dug clays into new works exploring Tasmanian history when she takes up a $10,000 creative fellowship later this year.
The South Australian artist, whose work is held in some of the country’s most prestigious public collections, has been awarded the University of Tasmania’s 2024 James McAuley Fellowship.
Ms Coelho will spend three weeks in Hobart during October beginning new works, mentoring students and presenting a public talk for the community.
She said access to historical collections at the University and in Tasmania’s museums would provide the inspiration for objects that would shed new light on our stories.
“Reinterpretation of historical objects to create new narratives with contemporary objects is at the nexus of my practice,” Ms Coelho said.
“I will relish this opportunity to immerse myself both in the culture and community of the University of Tasmania and the wider arts community in Tasmania.”
Ms Coelho said she would expand her practice with the use of terracotta, and earth and mineral colour clays that were locally sourced.
“I would like to further build on this new research area and the fellowship will enable me to develop preliminary works that articulate and evoke a sense of place utilising locally sourced and dug clays from around the Hobart area,” she said.
A ceramic artist for more than 30 years, Ms Coelho’s pieces are all made by hand on a potter’s wheel. Her works have been shown at over 40 exhibitions nationally and internationally and are held in the collections of the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of NSW, Chatsworth House in the UK and the City of Hobart.
“Kirsten’s application demonstrated a considered perspective that addressed the distinctive opportunities within our community and demonstrated an exceptional level of creativity that stood out to our selection committee,” McAuley committee member Professor Meg Keating said.
The fellowship is named after one of Australia’s most distinguished poets and Professor of English at the University from 1961 until his death in 1976.
The James McAuley Creative Fellowship is offered by the College of Arts, Law and Education, with support from the James McAuley Memorial Fund.
Photo credit: Daniel Noone