Earth and fire represent the two elements that produce a ceramic object. Without the other they are simply components; together they create both practical objects and pieces of art. Working as both primer and inspiration, Earth & Fire explores the techniques, practices and tools of over forty-five working ceramicists.

Written and compiled by Kylie Johnson and Tiffany Johnson, this launch explores how to capture the diverse beauty and utility of ceramics, in conversation with some of the artists.

Auslan interpreting is available upon request, please use contact link below. Requests must be sent at least 10 days prior to event.

Kylie Johnson

Kylie Johnson is a Brisbane-based ceramic artist, gallery owner and writer. Her ceramic studio and gallery, paper boat press, produces signature quote tags, Christmas ornaments and poetry vessels. Over the past ten years, she has curated more than twenty-five exhibitions of both Australian and Japanese artists in her gallery. Kylie has had two books of poetry published in 2008 and 2010, and a collection of quotes from her ceramic work published in 2014. She creates her own ceramic art pieces marked with her poetry, as well as a large range of ceramic items.

Tiffany Johnson

Tiffany Johnson has had a long and rewarding career in book production and publishing for over twenty years in the UK and Australia. She has had a hand in producing some of the most awarded books of the last two decades and has taught book production to many. During the same period she has been by her sister Kylie Johnson’s side, working on paper boat press ceramic exhibitions and projects. Turning an interest in writing and photography into her first authored project, together they wrote and photographed Utsuwa: Japanese objects for everyday use published by Thames & Hudson Australia in 2021.