September 2025

Under Fire: Clay from the western edge is a dynamic and expansive new exhibition presenting the works of 18 Western Australian artists who embrace ceramics and the transformative nature of clay. Guest curated by Emma Buswell, the exhibition is a satellite event of the 17^th Australian Ceramics Triennale and is presented by the Ceramic Arts Association of Western Australia (CAAWA.)

Opening Friday 3^rd October at 6pm, the exhibition will display over 200 works throughout the galleries of Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre (WFAC), highlighting the nature of ceramics as both a scientific process and a symbolic language.

Alongside the main exhibition CAAWA will present Clay Connections, a showcase uniting community ceramic studios, teachers, and students in a celebration of the medium.

Additionally on Sunday 5^th October, Mud Market ceramics fair will coincide with the launch of the WFAC Sunday Music season, rounding out a vibrant series of ceramics events at Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre as part of the 17^th Australian Ceramics Triennale.

Under Fire: Clay from the western edge is structured around four thematic pillars: Sustainability and Wellbeing, History and Change, Metaphor and Symbol, and Chemistry and Alchemy.

Curator Emma Buswell added, “Over the past year I have been delving deep into the history of ceramics within Western Australia, how it has manifested and evolved into the thriving and diverse community it is today. From kiln communities to glazers and artists working with mineral ores, from senior potters to artists making their first foray into clay, what has been most remarkable is the human element inherent in this medium. It is primal and vital and urgent. Clay is the way we have come to understand previous civilisations, and it will become part of the way future ones judge us in our current moment.”

Spanning the diverse regions of Western Australia—from the Kimberley to the South West— the exhibition highlights the balance between control and unpredictability in ceramic art. Sculptural forms draw inspiration from natural geological forces, while glazes infused with rare earth oxides create luminous surfaces that recall salt lakes or transform traditional vessels with a contemporary, digitally inspired twist.

Under Fire: Clay from the western edge is open at the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre daily from 10:00am until 5:00pm, between Sat October 4^th – Sun 2^nd November 2025.

The exhibition features the work of Ian Dowling, Valerie Schönjahn, Jess Tan, Emma Vinkovic, Kathy Allam, Andrea Vinkovic, Lorraine Hunter, Jessica Jadai, Nic Kotsoglo, Jackie Masters, Beste Ogan, Cat A. Conner, Graham Hay, Fig.2 (Annie Huang and Reegan Jackson), Bernard Kerr, Holly O’Meehan and Fleur Schell.

ENDS

Media contact:

Ella Boekeman | Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre | ellabo@fremantle.wa.gov.au

About Australian Ceramics Triennale
Australian Ceramics Triennale is a flagship event that brings together a nation of makers over five days through keynote speakers, workshops, masterclasses and exhibitions, where the breadth of the community is shared. The Australian Ceramics Association supports the Australian Ceramics Triennale, a national conference held every three years in different locations around Australia. The 2025 Triennale, Wedge, is hosted by Ceramic Arts of Western Australia CAAWA to bring together organisations, groups and individuals from around the world to celebrate, promote and expand a diverse and vibrant ceramic community.

About CAAWA
The Ceramic Arts Association of Western Australia (CAAWA) was established in 1993. It is a not-for-profit organisation run by members to raise the profile of clay within the community – culturally, educationally, politically and socially. With over 120 members based across Western Australia the aim is to stimulate and expand the production and appreciation of ceramics by delivering workshops, publications, events and exhibitions. CAAWA hosted the Australian Ceramics Triennale in 1999.