Dee Jaeger
Location
Perth, WA
About
Dee Jaeger is an experienced ceramic artist and educator based in North Beach, Western Australia, with a career spanning over 30 years. She holds a BA in Visual Arts with a major in Ceramics, and a Graduate Diploma of Education. Dee's teaching journey includes instructing primary and secondary Art in both government and
private schools, as well as teaching Ceramics to Art Education Graduates while pursuing a Master in Art Education at Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Currently, Dee imparts her extensive knowledge of ceramic sculpture at the Fremantle Arts Centre, conducts workshops at her home-based Spill-Hill Pottery Studio, and leads annual environmental art programmes through her initiative, Artward Bound. Her dedication to integrating art, education, and ecology is evident from her presentation on Environmental Art at the National Outdoor Education Conference, La Trobe University in 2001, which marked the beginning of her ongoing research into this field.
Dee passionately believes in fostering environmental stewardship among young people by engaging them in direct, hands-on artistic practices. The outcome of these bush art programmes is ephemeral and experiential in nature, blending creative skills
with environmental inquiry and cultural and social learning.
Artist Statement
Demonstration
In this workshop, Dee Jaeger will demonstrate three of her distinctive techniques for constructing large bases for figurative sculptures:
1. Extruded Coil Technique: Achieving rapid height construction with extruded coils.
2. Altering Forms: Modifying cylindrical or tapered shapes to create a sense of movement or flow.
3. Modular Totemic Construction: Building totemic forms in sections to fit into a 1-metre kiln.
Dee will also discuss and showcase various methods of post-firing assemblage for both indoor and outdoor sculptures.
Practice Led Paper
Title: Rewilding the Classroom - Art, Ecology & the Outdoors for Educators
This presentation is designed for teachers, outdoor educators, home schoolers, community groups, and artists who aim to engage young people with their natural or immediate
outdoor environment. Dee's presentation explores the connections across multiple curriculum areas and examines the social, cultural, and mental health benefits of incorporating art learning into outdoor settings.
Drawing from her 20 years of experience in facilitating environmental art programs in schools and the wider community, Dee will present research and visual materials. She will provide practical examples and ideas on how to introduce environmental art, starting in the classroom and transitioning to the outdoors, whether in urban, rural, or remote settings.
The emphasis will be on the connection between a 'hand to earth' approach and developing students' awareness of their role as guardians or caretakers of their environment.
This Practice-Led presentation will be divided into two parts:
Part A (45 mins): Presentation Paper with audio-visual content, followed by a Q&A session.
Part B (45mins – 1hr): Participants will have the opportunity to create a small work or performance, which they may document and leave on-site to decompose. This hands-on experience will include all materials provided by Dee, such as recycled clay, various local minerals, ochres, and bush materials. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing that can get soiled.
Note: Outdoor location is pending weather conditions and site availability.