‘While we came and went’ reflects on the journeys we take and are part of throughout our lives, from the immense journey of our world and cosmos to the journey we undertake each day. Such is the nature of our existence, with constant rushing and pressure, that suddenly there is the feeling of ‘where did the time go?’ Have we lived our lives, or were we just racing and chasing transient outcomes? When we step back from this limiting way of living and find relationships between the cycles of our world and our lives, there is a sense of being part of something extraordinary to be saved and preserved for future generations.

There are three series of work in this exhibition, the ceramics that are strongly connected to the earth through intensive material exchange, the ceramics that are coated by ash and fire through a traditional wood-firing and the drawing that seeks to express our internal energy and our belonging to the mystery and wonder of this world.

The first series is a result of my exploration of how art can capture and enhance human relationships with nature. Through working with locally found materials, an exchange between material and artist occurs that creates connection and discovery.

The second series comes from a journey to Japan this year where I participated in an artist residency at Shiro Oni, Onishi. There I made new ceramic work that was fired in a traditional anagama kiln. In this firing, there was a strong sense of surrender to the ash, smoke and fire that revealed markings and coatings of great beauty.

The series of drawings has originated out of a desire to express internal energy in the sculptural works. I initiated the routine of drawing each morning at Shiro Oni before commencing the clay work. The drawing brought me into the present and to see forms and lines that expressed vitality and time passing. These works then became independent of the sculpture and developed into the larger works that are shown in this exhibition.

Collectively the works express our belonging to a greater world - while we came and went.