Sidney Myer International Fund Ceramics Award
A major international award.

Since the demise of the Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award several years ago, the Sidney Myer International Fund has developed into the region's most prestigious ceramics award, attracting entries from renown ceramists around the world. Entries for the 2006 award close on 1 September 2005. Download entry form (pdf format).

Sidney Myer International Fund Ceramics Award

Organized by the Shepparton Art Gallery the "Sidney Myer Fund International Ceramics Award, in association with La Trobe University" is held every second year. This is the premier international ceramics award held in Australia and offers a $15,000 Premier Award with a further $10,000 in other prizes and acquisitions. Entry is by slide accompanied by an official entry form. There is no entry fee and entries close on 1 September 2005. Successful entrants will be given a small shipping subsidy to assist with transport. The judge is a ceramicist of international renown.

When the award was last held in 2004, it showcased 50 pieces of ceramics from thirteen countries out of 245 original entries. Contemporary international ceramics came from countries such as Portugal, Japan, Australia, Canada, USA, Belgium, United Kingdom, China, Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland and South Africa.

In 2004 the judge for the International Ceramics Award was Josie Walter from England. Ms Walter, who was present at the opening, is currently a Senior Lecturer in History and Theory of Design, Illustration and Sustainable Design and Practice at the University of Derby and a Visiting Lecturer at the Glas & Keramikskolen, Pa Bornholm, Denmark. She is a regular demonstrator to potters' groups and colleges. She has exhibited in over 50 exhibitions since 1979 around the United Kingdom, Europe and Canada. She has also curated various exhibitions that have toured around the United Kingdom and internationally. This includes, most recently, an exhibition called "Pots in the Kitchen" at the Rufford Craft Centre which featured 60 potters from Australia, Canada, America and Europe.

The winners announced on Friday 27 February 2004 were as follows:

The Sidney Myer Fund Premier Award
Yanze Jiang, China, for Teapots on parade

When talking about this work, the judge, Josie Walter, said, "Slip casting can be a severe technique but not only has Yanze created soft flowing forms in porcelain she has also made each piece individual by impressing as well as adding to the surface to create soft textures enhanced by some lyrical brush decoration. The pieces work well as a group, Yanze mentions an allusion to soldiers on parade, but the teapots also work well as individual pieces."

	La Trobe University Award of Merit Ryota Aoki, Japan, for Luxury Described by the judge, Josie Walter as, a 'most exquisite and delicate piece".
	Friends Of The Shepparton Art Gallery Society Award of Merit Graeme Wilkie, Australia, for Neo Classic Suburban Urns Judge, Josie Walter, said "I was totally seduced by the very luscious quality of the handles... I did think as I passed them by you will hear various dry satirical comments on notions of art, with a capital "A"."

Poyntzpass Pioneers Award of Merit
Ann Ferguson Durkin, Australia, for Fire and Fruit

Judge, Josie Walter, said "The piece I have chosen today... has a strong, personal and environmental significance to the artist which echoes the fragility and strength of trees as well as their spiritual connection with the Australian countryside."

Special Acquisitions:

Judge, Josie Walter, said "I am very pleased to be able to tell you that several pieces from the exhibition were of such high merit that they were bought by the Shepparton Art Gallery for their permanent collection". * Ken Eastman, Full Circle United Kingdom * Susie McMeekin, Wood-fire teadust bowl Australia * John Stroomer, Classical Gas Australia * Sophie Thomas, Spiral Forms Australia.

Enquiries for the 2006 award can be made at Shepparton Art Gallery on Ph +61-3-5832 9861, fax +61-3-5831 8480 or by email to art.gallery@shepparton.vic.gov.au. Download entry form (pdf format).

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