Exhibition Two

Qian (Fiona) Peng | Doctor of Philosophy | Ceramics

The exploration of how to transform a cultural consideration into art practice, but not only through the use of superficial patterns or cultural icons, is my main impetus in art. I keep explore the possibility of uncommon materials in ceramics in different ways, which fibre is the key one (especially in the past three years). The materiality of ceramic (but not only) plays important roles in my art, along with the experimental trials in concepts as well. I constructed a core research based on form, culture and ceramic art and brought up an idea of hybrid practice. The organic hybridization of understanding to surround environment that keeps affecting me, the particular interest in certain material and personal expressive way in art is my answer.

Peng Qian, born in Changsha, China. Graduated from China Academy of Art (Hangzhou) and obtained MA degree in ceramic. She has exhibited in many International exhibitions including Australian Ceramic Triennale, Asian Contemporary Ceramic Exhibition, Chinese Contemporary Young Ceramic Artists Biennale. She has published articles in China Ceramic Artist (Chinese), and artworks in many exhibition catalogues. She has taken the position of curator assistant of Hangzhou International Contemporary Ceramic Art Biennale.

Hsin-Yi (Julia) Yang | Doctor of Philosophy | Ceramics

Create, repetition, procedure, experiment, uncertainty, fear, failure, surprise, satisfaction, are words that describe my artistic process. The idea of "process" is the core concept of my ceramic work. How the work is made and how the work can be performed is more important than the work itself. The importance of my creations lies in the open-ended possibilities they present. The ceramic sculptures were created to invite the viewers to play and discover new relationships between the objects through interaction.

Born in San Francisco, Hsin-Yi (Julia) Yang is an artist who employs the idea of play in her ceramic sculptures. The playful objects, which she has created, is a means for her to re-discover imagination and the joy of being a child. Hsin-Yi has completed her Master of Fine Arts at the National Taiwan University of Arts in 2009 and is currently finishing her Doctor of Philosophy in 2016. Her work has been exhibited in Australia, Germany, USA, China, and Taiwan.

Dan Stewart-Moore | Doctor of Philosophy | Sculpture

When approaching the issue of climate change imagination serves as our worst enemy and our greatest friend. It is easy to see an apocalyptic future but alternatively we can also see a future where our actions are harmonious and benign. Both visions are possible realities, yet both can be considered science fiction.  
   
My research looks at how a sculptor can approach the topic of climate change. The ethical dilemmas of materials and processes are difficult but perhaps the greatest challenge is drawing attention to climate change without a didactic overtone. This is where the precedent of science fiction allows me to engage with the topic. By presenting the predictions of scientists within a work of fiction and theorising how people in the future might attempt to take action against climate change I developed a series of sculptural works, presented as artefacts from a speculative future.
These fictional artefacts are machines made from plastic taken from oceanic gyres. The devices are intended to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the ocean using algae in an attempt to mitigate climate change. The sculptures are made from up-cycled and recycled HDPE plastic using low energy fusing techniques in a renewably powered studio.