Sharman, 2024

When I first touched clay I felt at one with its tactile and malleable quality. I love that I can express my emotions through my sculptural forms. I hand coil and burnish my surface smooth to touch. I then spray Terrasigillata a fine clay slip which polishes to a soft warm sheen. I use Raku kilns where the unpredictable outcome of fire and carbon trapping never ceases to surprise. I like manipulating the curves to entice a desire to touch and connect with my work. Sharman is smoke fired which gives it this lovely soft glow. I use feathers to attract much like male birds. This work is influenced by bush walks on the Central Coast amongst the magnificent Angophora Gums and abundant bird life that I missed having access to in COVID lockdowns. I hope it conveys in all of us a need to protect this fragile environment and habitat from encroaching cities and fires from climate change. Each of us can make small changes which collectively can make a difference so trees and birds remain integral in our lives.

Jules Irving is a Sydney based Ceramic Artist working on the Gadigal Lands of the Erora Nation.
She came from a nursing background to explore clay as a means for Art Therapy.
She completed a Certificate 3 and Diploma in Visual Arts at Hornsby TAFE and moved to Northern Beaches campus to complete her Advanced Diloma in ceramics due to her passion for Raku firing where they have purpose built kilns.

Jules is a hand builder and although late to touch clay she felt at one with its tactile and malleable quality. She uses curves in her sculptural works to entice touch an intrinsic human need.

Jules has been selected as a finalist in:

. Emerging World Stage Gulgong
. Naked and Nude at Manning Regional Gallery
. Hornsby Art Prize
. Gosford Art Prize
. Little Things Art Prize
. Ewart Art Prize
. Mosman Art Prize

Her work has been exhibited at :
. Manly Art Gallery and Museum
. Lowe and Lee Gallery ( formally Kerrie Lowe Gallery) Newtown
. CBD Gallery, Sydney
. Crackpot Gallery, Freshwater
. Incinerator Art Space, Willoughby
. Shop Front Gallery, Glebe
. Winmark Gallery, Hunter Valley
. Art Gallery on Darling, Balmain