Artists Announced for new ADC On Tour Exhibition of Australian Ceramics

Published on 28 June 2021

In 2022 Australian Design Centre (ADC) will launch a new ADC On Tour exhibition SIXTY: The Journal of Australian Ceramics’ 60th Anniversary 1962–2022 presented in partnership with The Australian Ceramics Association.

Curated by Guest Curator Anna Grigson with ADC CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Cahill and the team, this celebratory exhibition will travel to fifteen venues across Australia.

The exhibition will launch at ADC in Sydney in March 2022 before heading off on a four-year tour, starting with the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs to coincide with the Australian Ceramics Triennale.

The artists and contributors involved with The Journal of Australian Ceramics over its history will also be acknowledged through the various project components in the anniversary year.

The project includes a touring exhibition, a book and film as well as public programs, digital content, and an education resource.

SIXTY: The Journal of Australian Ceramics’ 60th Anniversary 1962–2022 is ADC’s major national touring exhibition for 2022-2026 and is funded with support from Visions of Australia. The Visions of Australia regional exhibition touring program supports audience access to Australian arts and cultural material, with a particular focus on tours to regional and remote Australia.

Curatorial Statement

The Journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC) has, over its sixty years of print publication, presented the history of ceramics in Australia. It has acknowledged the achievements of so many in that time, as well as educating readers on the importance and position of ceramics within Australian art. The JAC has been at the forefront of addressing significant issues of the time and, in turn, is a dynamic source of contemporary history.

The JAC is unique in its enduring focus on all areas of ceramic art practice, finding a balance between aesthetic, technique and education. Because of this, The JAC has been fundamental for the many readers that have accessed the magazine throughout the decades, and its success lies in the support of its subscribers and the stimulus of its contributors.

JAC’s contributors have predominantly been artists first and foremost, with many enthusiastically taking on further responsibilities as part of their involvement with JAC and in turn as an extension of their art practice. Whether it be collaborator, contributor, curator, educator, mentor, pioneer, scientist, speaker, technician, traveller, volunteer or writer, Australia’s ceramic artists have embraced the opportunity to be part of the magazine and have been instrumental through these roles in the advancement of ceramic art in this country.

Over the sixty-year history of The JAC what has unified the thousands of artists is their sense of community, as well as the generosity in passing on skills and knowledge to their fellow artists and for the next generation of makers. It is because of the many that have been involved over the years that The JAC has been such a success.

We find ourselves at a fundamental time in contemporary ceramics. The significant interest in ceramic art is recognition of the accomplishments of Australia’s ceramic artists and potters and The JAC and its contributors have played a key role in this revival.

Australian Design Centre, through its ADC On Tour national exhibition touring program, has an excellent reputation for curating, producing and touring contemporary craft and design exhibitions of excellence. This partnership between ADC and The Australian Ceramics Association will deliver a special celebration for this significant anniversary.

All the artists and contributors involved with The JAC over its history will be acknowledged through the various project components in the anniversary year.

Explore The Journal of Australian Ceramics here or purchase from Object Shop here.

Find out more: Vicki Grima TACA chats with Lisa Cahill about receiving funding for the 60th anniversary exhibition here