T: (+61) 02 4943 2664
helen_dunkerley@yahoo.com.au
lives in Lake Macquarie, NSW
My sculptural forms are made from paperclay, which enables me to make large fine forms with a surface of multilayered slips (coloured clay coatings) and terrasigillatas (a fine surface with a soft sheen). I create visual and tactile textures by imprinting, sgraffito and distressing; that is, scraping and sanding back the surface. Subtle colours are achieved by varying the thickness of the layers beneath the glazes which have varying levels of gloss and translucency.
The concept is both archaeological and geological, giving the feeling of erosion and ageing and of the discovery of what lies beneath the surface.
HELEN DUNKERLEY 2006
I studied at the National Art School, Sydney. While there I was fortunate enough to study with, among others, Peter Rushforth and Shiga Shigeo. The experience led me to embark on the complementary careers of studio ceramics and teaching. After leaving Sydney, I set up a production studio with my first husband, also a potter, on the southern shores of Lake Macquarie. More recently I have moved to the north-eastern side of the lake where I have diversified into more sculptural and mainly hand-formed vessels. I still produce a range of homewares in both porcelain and earthenware.
selected exhibitions
2009
- Sacred Containment: Vessels, Nests and Shelters, Lynn Tendler Bignell Gallery, Brookfield Craft Center, Connecticut, USA
2008
- Blur, solo exhibition, John Miller Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
- WOW: Women on Women, Back to Back Galleries, Newcastle, NSW
2007
- Satisfied, cordinated by Debbie Abraham, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, Booragul, NSW
- Green, curated by Sandra Lee Brown, John Paynter Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
2006
- Pandora’s Box, curated by Susan Porteous, Newcastle Art Space, Newcastle, NSW
- Ceramic Surface, curated by Virna Rodriguez and Diana Robson, Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, Lake Macquarie, NSW
2005
- Helen Dunkerley: recent ceramics, John Miller Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
2004
- Dog Fence, solo exhibition, Back to Back Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
- Bowl`d and Beautiful, curated by Janet Mansfield, Ceramic Art Gallery, Paddington, NSW
- Helen Dunkerley: recent works, Inner City Clayworkers Gallery, Glebe, NSW
2003
- Fifty Years of Australian Ceramics, Gillian McCracken, Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
- Helen Dunkerley: new works, John Paynter Gallery, Newcastle, NSW
- Ceramics: The Australian and New Zealand Context, curated by Robert Reason, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Campbelltown, NSW
2002
- Alice Springs Craft Acquisition, Crafts Council of the Northern Territory invitation, Araluen Centre for Arts and Entertainment, Alice Springs, NT
- Birthday Show, curated by Irene Schroder, Mura Clay Gallery, Sydney, NSW
- Diversity: a survey of Hunter Region ceramists, Maitland City Art Gallery, Maitland, NSW
teaching and workshops
2007
- Artist-in-Residence, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, New York, USA
1980-2006
- Lecturer, School of Art (ceramics), TAFE NSW, Hunter Institute, Newcastle, NSW
2006
- Tutor, Paperclay and Slip Decoration workshop, Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, New York, USA
- Tutor, Paperclay and Slip Decoration workshop, Queensland Pottery Supplies, Brisbane, QLD
2005-06
- Tutor, Paperclay and Slip Decoration workshops, NSW Pottery Supplies, Homebush, NSW
- Tutor, Paperclay and Slip Decoration workshops, Central Coast Potters, Gosford, NSW
- Tutor, Paperclay and Slip Decoration workshops, Newcastle Studio Potters Inc., Newcastle, NSW
1975-80
- Lecturer, University of Newcastle, School of Fine Art (Ceramics), Newcastle, NSW
selected retail
2005-07
- Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery Shop, Lake Macquarie, NSW
2003-06
- Newcastle Region Art Gallery Shop, Newcastle, NSW
2004-06
- Maitland Regional Art Gallery Shop, Maitland, NSW
2002-05
- Inner City Clayworkers Gallery, Glebe, NSW
commisions
2000
- The Olympics–Pathways, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, NSW
collections
- Newcastle Region Art Gallery, Newcastle, NSW.
- Private collections in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Hunter Valley, West Indies, New Zealand, United States and Denmark
Peg pot
2006
earthenware paperclay inlaid with slip and terrasigillata,
58 x 20cm, courtesy the artist, photo Johanna Trainor
Wedge vase
2006
earthenware paperclay, slip, wheel-thrown & hand-built,
64 x 17cm, courtesy the artist, photo Johanna Trainer