Avital Sheffer

artists/avital-sheffer

Avital Sheffer

Aspaklaria IV
multiple-fired earthenware clay with fired prints
67×55×17cm

My work is informed by an investigation of my Middle Eastern and Jewish heritage and an ongoing engagement with the landscape, architecture, languages and wisdom of that part of the world, and that way of being in the world. The world of antiquity, in its diversities and dichotomies, is a passion and an infinite source of inspiration. Ancient ceramics, glass, metal ware and calligraphy employ universal aesthetic principals yet reveal intimate aspects of human idiosyncrasies and needs that are relevant to the present. I am interested in the frayed edges of religions and mythologies, where dialogue and cross-fertilization with other cultures takes place. Personal experiences of conflict, migration, dislocation and renewal intersect with the dilemmas between traditions and modernity.

I am challenged and fascinated by the materiality and discipline of clay, and the mysterious unpredictability of its nature. The act of making is a constant negotiation between creating a new entity and uncovering that which already exists, hidden within the folds of the material, governed by elemental principles. Through these slow processes, I Endeavour to reveal forms and surfaces that evoke a sense of history, while carrying narratives that transcend the temporal.

Exhibitions

2010
Sculpture 22
2009
Small is the New Big
Sculpture 21
Avital Sheffer

Biography

1954
Born in Jaffa, Israel. Arrived in Australia 1990. Lives in Mullumbimby NSW Australia. Member of the International Academy of Ceramics
2004
Diploma in Ceramics. TAFE Lismore NSW
1989
Diploma in Classical Homeopathy Israel

Solo Exhibitions

2009-2010
Deep Earth – Touring exhibition to regional galleries
2009
Origins – Moss Green Gallery, Melbourne
2009
Terra Anima – Robin Gibson Gallery
2008
Terra Intima – Beaver Galleries, Canberra
2008
Thomas R. Riley – Cleveland, Ohio
2007
Salmon Galleries – Sydney
Jane Sauer Thirteen Moons Gallery – Santa –Fe, New Mexico
2006
Salmon Galleries – Sydney
Lismore Regional Art Gallery
2005
Beaver Galleries – Canberra

Two Person Exhibitions

2004
Tweed River Regional Art Gallery
Mura Clay Gallery – Sydney

Selected Selected Group Exhibitions

2010
International Academy of Ceramics Members exhibition – Sevres Cite de la Ceramique, Paris
2009-2010
The 58th Touring Blake Prize Exhibition
2009
Egyptian TreasuresL Arts of the Pharaohs – The Australian Musuem, Sydney
2009
Friends of Bezalel Art Exhibition – Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
2009
Heated Words – Fusions Gallery, Brisbane
2009
White Heat – The Australian Ceramics Association’s Biennial Exhibition, Manly Art Gallery
Sculpture 21 – Robin Gibson Gallery
Brisbane Grammar School Art Show
NCECA Group Exhibition: Clay – Cervini Hass Gallery – Scottsdale Arizona USA
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction
Her/Now – Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne
Our Most Easterly Edge – Fusions Gallery, Brisbane
Palm Beach 3 – Presented by Thomas Riley Galleries – Cleveland, Ohio USA
2008
Sculpture 20, Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
SOFA Chicago Presented by Thomas Riley Galleries – Cleveland, Ohio USA
Ceramicos – Waywood gallery – Byron Bay
Palm Beach 3 – Presented by Thomas Riley Gallery – Cleveland, Ohio
Collect – Victoria & Albert Museum, London – Presented by Raglan Gallery – Sydney
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction
2007
Palm Beach 3 – Presented by Thomas Riley galleries – Cleveland, Ohio
Art London – Presented by Raglan Gallery – Sydney
SOFA Chicago – Presented by Thomas Riley galleries – Cleveland, Ohio
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction
2006
Chrysalis – Lismore Regional Art Gallery
ConVerge – Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery – Brisbane and touring to Regional Galleries to 2009
SOFA New York – Presented by Jane Sauer Thirteen Moons Gallery –
Santa –Fe. New Mexico
Hand Made – J. Johnson Gallery – Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award
SOFA Chicago – Presented by Beaver Galleries
Australia Council – New work grant
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction
2005
SOFA Chicago USA – Presented by Beaver Galleries
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction
2004
Fusions Graduate Award Exhibition – Brisbane
Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award
Graduating Students Award Exhibition – Inner City Clayworks Sydney, NSW

Collections

  • National Gallery of Australia
  • Manly Art Gallery and Museum
  • Powerhouse Museum – Sydney
  • The Russell Berrie Foundation, USA
  • The Charles Bronfman collection, USA
  • Gold Coast City Art gallery
  • Jewish Museum of Australia
  • Art Gallery of Ballarat
  • Southern Downs Regional Art Collection, Stanthorpe
  • Shepparton Art Gallery
  • Tweed River Art Gallery
  • Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie
  • Various corporate and private collections

Selected Publications

  • The Age 12/11/2—0 Visual Art by Dylan Rainforth
  • Ceramic Review issue 240, Gallery Review
  • The Australian Jewish News 10 November 2009 Exhibition Review, by Dalia Sable
  • The Journal of Australian Ceramics, issue no. 48#1 2009 Avital Sheffer: Body of work – by Ann McMahon
  • Deep Earth catalogue 2009 – A present past/ a continuous present – by Louise Martin Chew
  • Craft Arts International, issue no. 72, 2008 – New works by Avital Sheffer – by Pollyanna Sutton
  • Art London 2007 catalogue
  • Ceramics Art and Perception – issue no. 67, 2007 ConVerge: The Strength of a Region – by Grace Cochrane
  • SOFA Chicago 2006 catalogue
  • Craft Arts International – issue no. 66, 2006 – 24th Gold Coast International ceramic award – by Gordon Foulds
  • ConVerge Catalogue, 2006 – Northern Rivers Touring Ceramic Exhibition
  • Chrysalis Catalogue, 2006 – The Emergence of Northern Rivers Artists – by Louise Martin Chew
  • Craft Arts International – issue no. 64, 2005 – Tradition to Modernity – by Gordon Foulds
  • Ceramics Art and Perception – issue no. 60, 2005 – New Vessels, ancient Voices – by Steven Giese

Competitions and Awards

2010
Stanthorpe Award – Stanthorpe Art Festival
2009
Elected for membership of the International Academy of Ceramics – Geneva
2009
Finalist – The Blake Prize
2009
Finalist – Manning Art Prize
2009
Finalist – IV International Biennial of Ceramics – Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain
2009
Finalist – Prometheus Visual Arts Award
2009
Highly commended – Muswellbrook Open Art Prize
2009
Finalist – Burnie Print Prize
2008
Winner – Border Art Prize
2008
Awarded – Australia Council for the Arts – New Work grant (established artists)
2008
Finalist – The Sidney Myer International Ceramic Award
2006
Awarded – Australia Council for the Arts – New Work grant (emerging artists)
2006
Finalist – Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award
2005
Awarded – The 3rd International Competition – World Ceramic Biennale Korea, Honorary mention
2005
Awarded – Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award
2005
The Josephine Ulrick Award for Excellence
2004
Finalist – Gold Coast International Ceramic Award
2003
Finalist – Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award
1999
Awarded – Thursday Plantation Sculpture Show – Special Mention – Ballina NSW

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