CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 

Fremantle Arts Centre (FAC) and the Australian Ceramics Triennale (ACT) are excited to announce a call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Western Australian ceramic artists to create new works for a group exhibition to be presented at FAC from 2 October - 2 November 2025.  EOI submissions close on 30 January 2025.

 

Wedge, the 19th Australian Ceramics Triennale is hosted by the Ceramics Arts Association of WA (CAAWA) in partnership with The Australian Ceramic Association (TACA) and will take place in Fremantle from 2 - 5 October 2025. 

The WEDGE theme will explore the increasingly sophisticated and interconnected practices of ceramic artists today. It will consider how our ability to manipulate, process, and transform environmental materials continues to reshape our world, and our position within it. The exhibitions at Fremantle Arts Centre will complement these discussions, highlighting the ways in which Western Australian ceramic practices intersect with contemporary life, exploring connections, commonalities, spiritualities, fractures, disruptions, and dissonances in ceramic work.

This call invites artists to create new works that respond to the specific themes outlined for each day of the Triennale. Artists are encouraged to engage with these themes through their work, which will be a key part of this national event, drawing attention to Western Australian contributions to the broader field of ceramics.

Selected artists will work with the exhibition curator to realise their works for the exhibition, including participating in studio visits. 

 

Exhibition Themes:

Sustainability and Wellbeing – ‘The Healers, the Teachers, and Those Who Connect Us’
Artists whose practice is grounded in the ritual of making for the well-being of individuals, communities, or other species are invited to submit work that reflects the healing power of clay. This theme focuses on the ability of ceramics to connect the hands, heart, and mind, fostering a sense of community and shared knowledge. Works should convey how the act of making and community engagement can promote health, connection, and well-being.

History and Change – ‘Artists Who Brave New Frontiers’
Artists who explore and develop traditional ceramic techniques to challenge established histories and conventions are encouraged to submit works that push the boundaries of both form and concept. This theme seeks works that question the limitations of clay, investigating new ways of seeing and experiencing the medium, and exploring its potential for innovation in combination with other genres. Artists whose work explores how ceramics can disrupt or reframe historical narratives are highly encouraged to apply.

Metaphor and Symbol – ‘The Storytellers’
Ceramic artists who use the medium as a vehicle for narrative, metaphor, and symbolism are invited to submit works that explore the magical, the mythical, and the imagined. This theme is for artists whose work tells stories, conveys beliefs, or addresses shared human experiences through the manipulation of clay. Works should draw on the power of ceramic art to evoke deep, poetic connections, telling stories that transcend the material and connect to broader cultural or emotional landscapes.

Chemistry and Alchemy – ‘The Scientists and Alchemists’
This theme invites artists who are fascinated by the transformative potential of fire and the chemical processes inherent in ceramics. Those whose practice is driven by the science of materials—who navigate the intersection between technical knowledge and the unpredictability of the kiln—are encouraged to submit work that showcases the alchemical and transformative power of clay. Works should demonstrate the artist’s engagement with the scientific exploration of ceramics, as well as the delicate balance between control and the magic of transformation in the firing process.

 

Eligibility:

• Open to all artists currently residing in Western Australia working with clay.

• Artists may submit a proposal for a new work that aligns with one of the above themes.

• Works must be suitable for display in a group exhibition and be ready for installation by the specified exhibition dates.

• Works must be original and created specifically for the 2025 Australian Ceramics Triennale.

 

Selection Criteria:

Submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Artistic Merit: Originality, creativity, and quality of execution in the proposed work.

2. Engagement with the Medium: How the artist engages with and pushes the boundaries of ceramic techniques and processes.

3. Relevance to the Exhibition Theme: How the work aligns with one of the four key themes of the Triennale: Sustainability and Wellbeing, History and Change, Metaphor and Symbol, or Chemistry and Alchemy.

4. Conceptual Depth: The thoughtfulness and depth of the concept, and how it communicates ideas or addresses cultural, social, or environmental concerns.

5. Exhibition Fit: How the proposed work contributes to the overall narrative and cohesion of the exhibition.​

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Submission Requirements:

To be considered, artists must submit the following:

1. Artist Biography (max. 250 words): Please provide a statement that describes your artistic career)

2. Artist Statement (max. 300 words): Please provide a statement that describes the conceptual and thematic interests of your practice.

3. Proposed Artwork Description (max. 500 words): A detailed description of the proposed work, responding to one of the themes, including materials, dimensions, and any special installation requirements (indicative information is allowed).

4. Visual Documentation: High-quality images of the proposed work (or representative examples of previous works) that clearly show the artist’s approach to clay.

5. Link to Portfolio (optional): If applicable, include a link to an online portfolio or website that provides further context for your work.

 

Submission Process:

• All submissions must be made via this link 

• The deadline for submissions is 30 January 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

• Artists selected for the exhibition will be notified by 21 February 2025.

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Key Dates:

• Deadline for Submissions: 30 January 2025

• Online Briefing for artists/applicants: 16 January 2025

• Notification of Selected Artists: 21 February 2025

• Artwork Delivery: 1st week of September

• Exhibition Dates: 2 October - 2 November 2025

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About Australian Ceramics Triennale:

Australian Ceramics Triennale is a flagship event that brings together a nation of makers over five days through keynote speakers, workshops, masterclasses and exhibitions, where the breadth of the community is shared. The Australian Ceramics Association supports the Australian Ceramics Triennale, a national conference held every three years in different locations around Australia. The 2024 Triennale, Wedge, is hosted by Ceramic Arts of Western Australia CAAWA to bring together organisations, groups and individuals from around the world to celebrate, promote and expand a diverse and vibrant ceramic community.

 

About CAAWA:

The Ceramic Arts Association of Western Australia (CAAWA) was established in 1993. It is a not-for-profit organisation run by members to raise the profile of clay within the community - culturally, educationally, politically and socially. With over 120 members based across Western Australia the aim is to stimulate and expand the production and appreciation of ceramics by delivering workshops, publications, events and exhibitions. CAAWA hosted the Australian Ceramics Triennale in 1999.

 

About Fremantle Arts Centre:

Fremantle Arts Centre is one of Western Australia’s leading cultural institutions, dedicated to supporting contemporary artists and fostering creative dialogue. Through exhibitions, residencies, and public programs, the Centre promotes innovative and thought-provoking work across a range of media. The Australian Ceramics Triennale builds on Fremantle Arts Centre’s longstanding commitment to the ceramic arts, providing a significant platform for Western Australian artists to showcase their work on a national stage.

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For More Information:

If you have any questions or require further details about the submission process, please contact Emma Buswell  emmabwedgeexhibition@gmail.com