Avital Sheffer

avital-sheffer

Avital Sheffer

TUMULUS VIII
53×49×22cm
multiple-fired earthenware clay with fired prints
SOLD

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

2012
Avital Sheffer
2009
Avital Sheffer 2009

Biography

Born 1954, arrived in Australia 1990
Member of the International Academy of Ceramics

Education

2004
Diploma in Ceramics, TAFE Lismore NSW

1989
Diploma in Classical Homoeopathy – Israel

Solo Exhibitions

2012
TerraForma – Gadfly Gallery, Perth
Life of Form – Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney

2011
New Ceramic Sculptures – Beaux Arts Bath, Bath UK
Terra Memoria – Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne
Mother Tongues – Beaver Galleries, Canberra

2010
Peregrinations – Gadfly Gallery, Perth, WA
Continuum – Anthea Polson Art, Main Beach, QLD

2009-2010
Deep Earth – Touring exhibition to regional galleries

2009
Origins – Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne
Terra Anima – Robin Gibson Gallery

2008
Terra Intima – Beaver Galleries, Canberra
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

Selected Invitational and Group Exhibitions

2011
The 60th Blake Touring Exhibition 2011/12
Fairytales in Fairyland – Grafton Regional Gallery
Sculpture 23 – Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
The New York Arts of Pacific Asia Show –Presented by Cavin Morris Gallery NY
30 to Collect – ArtHouse Gallery, Sydney
Confined Excitement – Pleasures of the Void– Cavin-Morris Gallery, New-York

2010
Time+Place – Cudgegong Gallery, Gulgong NSW
Art Event – Jewish Museum of Australia – NVG International, Melbourne
Down Memory Lane – Framed Gallery, Darwin
9th Festival in Ceramics – Demonstrators Exhibition – University of Ballarat Post Office Gallery
The Space Between – Aptos Cruz Gallery, Adelaide
44th General Assembly – International Academy of Ceramics Members Exhibition – Cite de la Ceramique, Sevres, France
On Paper, in time and in others’ minds – Art Piece Gallery, Mullumbimby NSW
Sculpture 22 – Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney

2009
The 58th Touring Blake Prize Exhibition 2009/10
Egyptian Treasures: Arts of the Pharaohs – The Australian Museum, Sydney
Friends of Bezalel Art Exhibition – Arthouse Hotel, Sydney
Heated Words – Fusions Gallery, Brisbane
White Heat – The Australian Ceramics Association’s Biennial Exhibition 2009 Manly Art Gallery and Museum
Sculpture 21 – Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Brisbane Grammar School Art Show
NCECA Special Exhibition: Clay – Cervini Hass Gallery, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction
Here/Now – Mossgreen Gallery, Melbourne
Our Most Easterly Edge – Fusions Gallery, Brisbane
Palm Beach 3, Presented by Thomas Riley galleries, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

2008
SOFA Chicago – Presented by Thomas Riley galleries, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Sculpture 20 – Robin Gibson Gallery, Sydney
Ceramicos – Waywood gallery, Byron Bay
Palm Beach 3, Presented by Thomas Riley Gallery, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
COLLECT- Victoria & Albert Museum, London, GB, Presented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction

2007
Palm Beach 3 – Presented by Thomas Riley galleries, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Art London – Presented by Raglan Gallery, Sydney
SOFA Chicago, Presented by Thomas Riley galleries, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction

2006
SOFA New York, USA – Presented by Jane Sauer Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
SOFA Chicago, USA – Presented by Beaver Galleries
Chrysalis – Lismore Regional Art Gallery
ConVerge – Victor Mace Fine Art Gallery, Brisbane and touring to Regional Galleries to 2008
Hand Made – J. Johnson Gallery, Jacksonville Beach, Florida, USA
FEHVA Art Exhibition & Auction

2005
SOFA Chicago – 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

Collections

National Gallery of Australia
Powerhouse Museum, Sydney
Jewish Museum of Australia
Atelier d’Art de France, Paris
Manly Art Gallery and Museum
Art Gallery of Ballarat
Southern Downs Regional Art collection, Stanthorpe
Gold Coast City Art gallery
Shepparton Art Gallery
Glasshouse Regional Gallery, Port Macquarie
Tweed River Art Gallery
Grafton Regional Gallery
Ceramics Victoria Permanent Collection
Brisbane Grammar School Art Collection
The Russell Berrie Foundation, USA
The Charles Bronfman collection, USA
Various corporate and private collections Australia, USA, UK

Selected Publications

The Pot Book (Phaidon publication) by Edmund de Waal and Claudia Clare
The Blake Book – Art, Religion and Spirituality in Australia by Rosemary Crumlin
Ceramic Review issue 252 – Beaux Arts Bath Exhibition Review, by Claudia Clare
Ceramics Monthly, June July August 2011, Exposure
Australian Yoga Journal Issue 11 2011 – Creative release, by Sascha wyness
Canberra Times 17 Feb 2011 – Fusing Form and decoration, exhibition review by Kerry-Anne Cousins
Ceramics Art and Perception issue no. 80, 2010 – Of the Temporal and the Spiritual, Works By Avital Sheffer, by Inga Walton
Ceramic Review, UK issue no. 243, 2010 – Deep Earth – A present past/ a continuous present, by Louise Martin Chew
The Age 12/11/2009 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#2 2009 – White Heat: The Australian Ceramics Association Biennial exhibition
Ceramics Monthly October 2009 – exhibitions: Avital Sheffer
The Journal of Australian Ceramics, issue no. 48#1 2009 – Avital Sheffer Body of work, by Ann McMahon
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
The Journal of Australian Ceramics 43#2 2004 – images
The Journal of Australian Ceramics 43#3 2004 – images

Competitions Awards Residencies

2012
Winner – Byron Arts Classic, first prize for sculpture
Stanthorpe Art Festival

2011
Artist in residence – The Israel Museum, Archaeology wing, Jerusalem
The Blake Prize
Manning Art Prize
Highly commended – Muswellbrook Open Art Prize
Travelling Scholarship Prize – Noosa Regional Gallery
Prometheus Visual Arts Award
Burnie Print Prize

2010
Ergon Energy CQ Ceramic Award
Artist residency – SODA Fremantle WA
Acquisition Award – Stanthorpe Art Festival

2009
Elected for membership of the International Academy of Ceramics – Geneva
The Blake Prize
Manning Art Prize
The IV International Biennial of Ceramics, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain
Prometheus Visual Arts Award
Highly commended – Muswellbrook Open Art Prize
Burnie Print Prize

2008
Winner – Border Art Prize
Awarded – Australia Council for the Arts, New Work grant (established artists)
The Sidney Myer International Ceramic Award

2006
Awarded – Australia Council for the Arts, New Work grant (emerging artists)
Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award

2005
Honorary mention, The 3rd International Competition, World Ceramic Biennale, Korea
Awarded – The Josephine Ulrich Award for Excellence, Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award

2004
Gold Coast International Ceramic Award
2003 Gold-Coast International Ceramic Award

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