Amelia Black
Location
Virginia, USA
About
Amelia Black is a Melbourne-based ceramic artist working on Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung Country. Her practice explores the relationships between architecture, ecology, and the material histories of place. With a focus on ceramic processes, Amelia investigates the provenance of materials—where they come from, how they are shaped, and what they reveal about the environments they inhabit.
Her work often takes the form of installations, sculptural ceramics, and printed matter, drawing connections between the built and natural world. Projects such as Material Provenance, Facts of Matter, and Amphibious Architecture reflect her deep engagement with the political and ecological implications of construction and design. By tracing the life of materials—from clay and brick to stone and earth—Amelia invites audiences to reconsider the assumed neutrality of the structures that surround us.
Through careful research and making, she transforms raw material into narrative. Each piece carries the memory of place, layered with questions about sustainability, cultural connection, and the silent stories of the ground beneath our feet.
Artist Statement
Bulk Buy, originally presented at Craft Contemporary, Melbourne (October 2023), is
a material research project that examines the potential for new ceramics supply
chains through an innovative exhibition and pop-up supply store model. Organized
by the Alternative Ceramics Supply (ACS) collective, the project addresses
transparency and sustainability in material sourcing, challenging exploitative
practices often embedded in traditional supply chains.
The initiative highlights materials sourced from local waste streams—cement rubble,
oyster shells, glass dust, and granite/marble off-cuts—and demonstrates their use in
ceramics. Publicly shared research includes detailed information sheets covering
origins, Indigenous Country, processing methods, safety practices, and potential
applications. Test tiles display practical outcomes in clay bodies and glazes,
empowering ceramicists to make informed choices.
At Wedge 2025, members of ACS will host a Show and Tell with test tiles from the
original exhibition, alongside a concise slideshow detailing the project’s journey,
material results, and examples of artworks created using the tested materials. This
Show and Tell session will also share the findings with the broader ceramics
community, fostering dialogue on responsible material usage.
Through initiatives like Bulk Buy, ACS advocates for localized sourcing models,
responsible consumption, and greater transparency. By providing clear
documentation and encouraging material knowledge exchange, the project supports
a more ethical and sustainable future for ceramics.