Through ceramics, mixed-media and sound, Bundaberg-based artist Avi Amesbury has explored a new perspective of her personal family history.
Her new exhibition, ‘Shifting Perspectives: the Self Reconciliation Project’, has opened at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery.
The exhibition is the culmination of a three-year long project which saw Avi travel the length and breadth of Australia to undertake artist residencies at Fremantle Arts Centre and Central Craft in Alice Springs.
Avi said the aim of the project was to explore and research her family history within the broader context of Australian history.
“Our family were one of the first settler families who arrived on the Wheatbelt in Western Australia and resided in Quairading,” Avi said.
“The exhibition itself comes together to tell the story of a descendant of a white settler family and gaining a deeper knowledge (and) understanding of the impact that that history, my history, had on First Nations people in Australia.”
While Avi is well-known as a ceramicist, she also employed other art mediums in her exhibition to bring the story to life.
“Translating that particular story into an exhibition and ceramics has been quite a challenge,” she said.
“Part of the project was a collaboration with composer and sound artist MJ from Those Who Ride With Giants.
“That collaboration used my poems, writings, sounds from the landscape that I collected throughout my travels to also embellish the story that I’m trying to tell with the exhibition here at the gallery.
“My ceramic practice is basically rooted in working with landscape, so the landscape is something that I have always been attracted to.
“I collect wild clays or found clays, which I use in my ceramic practice.
“The artist residency at Central Craft was to immerse myself in the landscape and to experience the connection between country and people.”
Avi said she was thrilled to be exhibiting in her adopted home of Bundaberg.
“It means a lot for me to be exhibiting in Bundaberg and in particular at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery,” she said.
“It’s my first solo exhibition in a regional gallery, and to have that in the home town that I live, it’s wonderful.
“The support and the team that I’m working with at the art gallery have been incredible.”
Avi said she hoped gallery visitors would take the time to read the stories presented and get a sense of her journey.
“I would hope that people would, by engaging with my story, gain an understanding of the impact that the settler history had on First Nations people of Australia, and perhaps to reflect on their own story and to see whether that resonates with them.”
‘Shifting Perspectives: The Self Reconciliation Project’ is on display at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery until 11 July.
Artist to Artist: Professional Development with Avi Amesbury
Artists interested in building a sustainable art career can gain insights in a practical workshop with Avi.
Blending strategic planning with her ceramics practice, Avi offers practical tips, real-world strategies and a space to reflect on your own artistic direction.
When: Saturday 23 May, 9 am to 4 pm
Where: Bundaberg School of Arts
Cost: $65 per person. Includes morning tea, BYO lunch.
Bookings here.
