Big Ceramic Energy at SAM

Recent acquisitions from artists Isadora Vaughan and Karen Black will make their SAM debut, while returning works from Deborah Halpern, Kaye Poulton and Bankstown Koori Elders will emerge after years in storage.

Through eccentric forms to experimental glazes, the grouping of highly individual artworks in Big Ceramic Energy exude a shared boldness of character, with each work expressing the artists’ unique techniques and approaches to the medium.

“Big Ceramic Energy is a show dedicated to celebrating artists in the SAM Collection who challenge audience preconceptions of what ceramics can or should be, investigating complex stories and histories that find new depth through their use of material and technique,” SAM acting artistic director Danny Lacy said.

“SAM has a rich legacy of supporting artists as they innovate in the field of ceramics, and has built up an impressive holding of artworks that reveal the journey that the ceramic medium has taken through the experimentation of these artists.

“Longtime visitors to SAM will be glad to see the return of some familiar artworks from the collection in Big Ceramic Energy, while discovering artworks that we hope go on to become new favourites.”

Big Ceramic Energy opens at SAM on Saturday, August 3 with free entry.

The artworks featured in this exhibition are drawn from the museum's collection, which has expanded and developed through donations, bequests, select acquisitions and curatorial commissions, as well as special acquisitions from past editions of the museum’s Sidney Myer Ceramic Award and Indigenous Ceramic Award.