HYPERCLAY: Contemporary Ceramics explores the diversified field of contemporary ceramics, presenting work where the medium has been amplified, extended and intensified. 

Image: Paul Wood, Guardians of a Goddess, 2011 (detail).

This exhibition focuses on the new technologies, attitudes and techniques being embraced by artists in the 21^st century, as the boundaries between art mediums blur.

It features 26 works by eight artists - Addison Marshall, Andrea Hylands, Jacqueline Clayton, Paul Wood, Pip McManus, Roderick Bamford, Stephen Bird and Walter Auer.

Image: Walter Auer, The Anarchist, 2011.

Each of these artists has very different styles.  Jacqueline Clayton, for example, hand moulds life size flower replicas from ceramic made from face powder; Paul Wood combines pre-made sculptures with ceramic and glass ware from op shops; and Walter Auer creates blackened ceramic toys from discarded teddy bears.

Image: Jacqueline Clayton, Rilke and the Autoclave, 2011 (detail).

You can download the iPad app from the iTunes store.  The app features a collection of over 30 short videos produced to accompany the exhibition.  These range from artists interviews to curators, academics, collectors and gallerists, commenting on why they find a particular artist so exciting, through to ceramic students expressing what inspires them about the work in the show.  If you don't have an iPad, you can watch the videos on the Object Gallery website.

You can also download the education kit for the exhibition.

Hyperclay: Contemporary Ceramics is a touring exhibition presented by Object Gallery, Sydney, and will run at Cessnock Regional Art Gallery from 14^th July to 18^th August.