Robyn Phelan
Location
Naarm/Melbourne, VIC
About
Robyn Phelan is a Naarm/Melbourne-based artist. Using ‘hand-sense’ her practice
explores materiality, process, time and a@ect experienced at the site of making.
Robyn was awarded her PhD in 2024 in the field of contemporary craft and material
research from the School of Art, RMIT University, Melbourne where she was also
awarded a Bachelor of Fine Art (Ceramics) with first class honours (2010). As alumna
of the University of Melbourne, Robyn completed a postgraduate degree in museum
studies and curatorship and a degree in visual art education.
She has exhibited widely in museums and galleries ranging from Australian Tapestry
Workshop, Mornington Regional Gallery, Craft Victoria, Manly Art Gallery, Rubicon
ARI, McClelland Art Gallery, First Site, Queen Victoria Museum & Gallery, Tasmania.
Robyn has over 20 years of experience in ceramics education and writing, currently
lecturing in the School of Art, RMIT University and the Slow Clay Centre specialising
in expanded ceramic practice, art history and cultures and professional practice.
Robyn’s practice seeks to perceive the world as embodied and connected. From this
perspective she folds making, writing, teaching and collaboration to consider the
potential of conceptual ceramics.
Artist Statement
Robyn’s demonstration combines technical, conceptual and critical discourse on this
ancient surface treatment.
The process of making ‘sig’ will be comprehensively covered including a hands-on
experience.
The ‘how to’ technical knowledge is shared alongside lively discussion covering the ‘why
to’ of incorporating terra sigillata into a contemporary ceramic practice.
Discourse on historical and contemporary of terra sigillata artwork will be showcased.
This session will be of interest to those working sculpturally, for those interested in low
firing, those working with self-collected clay and those fascinated by textural surfaces.