IAN DOWLING

Tetrapods are the result of human research and ingenuity. On coastlines susceptible to severe erosion by sometimes intense wave power, they can be used to disperse the wave energy through many deflections in the tangle of curved solids and space.

Ian has a strong interest in patterns in nature that repeat and evolve. In the original layout the tetrapods form patterns of edges, curves and spaces. Over time the layout becomes released from this tight matrix by weathering and eventually breaking down.

There is also the creation of new habitat for flora and fauna species that survive in the intertidal zones.

Ian’s ceramic artwork looks at what could be the future for these guardian walls, as they interact and adjust to their own environment and their evolving space.

Ian Dowling

It’s a Tangled Life (detail) 2022-23

Ceramics – fired with inclusions of local rocks, wood, charcoal, seaweed, shells, bones, wood ash, feathers and ceramic sherds

Ian Dowling was born in Perth in 1950. His interest in ceramics developed while studying in the early 1970’s and resulted in working alongside Fremantle artist Joan Campbell in 1976/7. After working for many years with clay and fire in the Mid West and South West of WA, Ian studied toward a Master of Visual Arts at Monash University. This included two months based at Monash’s Prato campus in Italy.

Ian and wife Beth closed the large Margaret River Pottery workshop in 2003 and established a more private studio at their home property. Here Ian concentrates on individual sculptural pieces, functional ceramics and multiple piece experimental ceramics. With the help of a professional assistant, he has completed a number of larger-scale public and private commissions using cast, slab and thrown ceramic techniques, steel, masonry and concrete.

Ian’s architectural ceramic art commissions have featured in several texts and magazines published in the UK, China and the USA. Over the last 3 years, Ian has concentrated on larger scale public artwork at public and private buildings in Perth, including St John of God Midland Public Hospital and Crown Towers in Burswood and Barangaroo Sydney.

John Eden

As a tourist in the Karijini gorges, I feel acutely aware of being out of place. However, beyond the awe-inspiring beauty, I am starting to understand the spiritual side of this land, its sacred role to dreamtime; it is palpable. My respect and gratitude to first nations people, to elders past and present, storytellers, keepers of knowledge, and cultural custodians: this is your land, and it always will be.

I am humbled to have seen it and walked upon it. The gorges live in my brain now, in memory, dream and feeling. To my mind, Karijini needs scale to truly take you there. I want to make large works –immersive, reflective, meditative works. Through drawing and painting I come to terms with the land and my place in it.

Drawing and painting since Art College in the 80s. Art teacher since 1991. At Kalamunda High since 2002.

I was planning on making art when I retired, but the pandemic pushed me hard to re-evaluate. My late emerging artist career so far: Solo exhibitions in 2021, Landmarks at Paper Mountain and Between borders at The Nyisztor Studio. In 2022 Tales from the Bush at Mundaring Art Centre and “Art is History” at The Kalamunda Zig Zag Gallery.

My current Karijini work has earned representation from The Kolbusz Space. I have a solo there in May 2023 as well as another planned for The Zig Zag in June.

I have been a finalist in fifteen Art Awards since 2020 and won first prize (2D) at the Kalamunda Lions Art Award for my portrait of local legend, Pat Hallahan. I was also Highly Commended at The Darlington Open for my self-portrait.