Sandra Black
Location
Walyalup/Fremantle, WA
About
Sandra Black is a highly regarded Australian ceramic artist known for her exquisite work in porcelain. Born in Victoria, she moved to Western Australia in 1964. Initially trained as a high school art teacher, she transitioned into ceramics in 1975 when she was appointed Resident Graduate Craftsperson in Ceramics at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT). Since then, she has held part-time teaching positions at several tertiary institutions, including Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities, Bendigo College of Advanced Education, Canberra School of Art, West Coast College, Fremantle Arts Centre, Rockingham, and Central TAFE. Practicing as a full-time ceramic artist since 1975, Black has exhibited extensively, with 34 solo exhibitions across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, and participation in over 300 group shows worldwide. Her work is featured in major regional and state galleries, corporate collections, and public and private collections in the UK, USA, Japan, China, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. In 2023, she was recognised by the World Craft Council Asia Pacific Region as a “Craft Master” for her contributions to the development of crafts. In October 2024, the Art Gallery of Western Australia honoured her with a 50-year retrospective exhibition, Holding Light.
Artist Statement
1st half day demonstration
1.Simple Flower pot mould making ,plaster casting tips and slip casting forms.
Using the wheel and or hand building I will demonstrate quick and easy methods to make simple one and two piece moulds for casting or slumping using recycled flowerpot cottles. Tips and techniques for mixing and pouring of plaster will be demonstrated and notes supplied to take away . After plaster demo we will also look at slip preparation for casting and vessels will be cast for
the afternoon or following days demonstration.
2nd half day demonstration
2. Carving, piercing and washback porcelain
Working with premade cast and thrown vessels in both leather hard and dry stages I will demonstrate techniques of carving and piercing using a variety of available tools both purchased and handmade. Discover easy tips for geometric layout of patterns along with the use of varnish resists to create textured surfaces.