The Australian Ceramics Triennale is a key event for the arts

The Australian Ceramics Triennale is a key event for the ceramics sector that takes place in a different state or territory every three years. .

Each triennale attracts leading ceramicists and potters from across the country, as well as international practitioners, for three days of lectures, panel discussions, presentations, master-classes, exhibitions, a trade fair and a potters' market.

I caught up with three key Triennale artists to explore their practice, techniques and what they'll be contributing to the event.

CJ Jilek

Jilek is an American artist, living and working in Western Australia. Her work explores wood-firing techniques, and often uses botanical forms to explore themes.

"My current work explores the sensuality of the natural world," Jilek says.

"I utilise botanical forms with their openly displayed reproductive elements as a metaphor for human sexuality. Through my work, I'm questioning ideas of beauty, eroticism, adaptation, acceptance, attraction, and desire."

Jilek's work is incredibly detailed and intricate, forcing the viewer to engage more closely with each piece.

"I'm hoping to make associations for the viewer, including appreciation of the natural world, appreciation of craftsmanship and appreciation of sensuality," she says.

Jilek will be presenting a talk on Thursday, Redefining Traditional Ceramics Education, and producing a demonstration on Saturday of how she uses slip-cast porcelain models in her work, Transformations in Clay: A study of beauty through biomorphic forms.

Bev Hogg

Bev Hogg is an Australian ceramics artist whose figurative pieces explore connections between humans and non-humans, and how they share an environment.

"Living on the edge of the bush near Mount Majura, I observe an interplay between people and animals, and the parallels that exist between our seemingly disparate lives," Hogg says.

"Finding a balance in our relationship with animals and our environment presents many challenges and trade-offs."

Hogg's work often uses an element of humour to grapple with the bigger issues of social, political and environmental issues having an impact on us today. Her work has been highly acclaimed, including winning the National Ceramics Award. She is also an accredited professional member of Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre.

"Symposiums [like this] create an intensive emersion and buzz of all things 'clay' and beyond," Hogg says.

"[The triennale is] important in that it brings creative minds together to discuss the industry's developments and future projections, and provides a moment to convene and network on an international and national level face to face."

As well as participating in four group exhibitions throughout the triennale, Hogg will be producing a demonstration, Wall relief and freestanding sculptural forms, on Saturday.

Gail Nichols

Gail Nichols is an Australian ceramicist who has pioneered the soda-glazing technique that is a signature of her work. Her round, eccentric vessels have characteristically textured surfaces.

She completed a PhD at Monash University researching the atmospheric dynamics of the soda-vapour glazing process, and her work has received numerous awards and been selected for both national and international exhibitions. She is an accredited professional member of Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre.

"I am intrigued by the sculptural contrast between closed and open forms, and firing effects on exposed and shadowed clay surfaces. I enjoy playing with impressions of volume and movement, and exploring relationships between surface, mass and form," Nichols says.

"My aim as an artist is to create beautiful objects: not just pretty things to look at, but a powerful beauty that quietly overwhelms, revealing something beyond the ordinary."

For Nichols, the triennale is an important opportunity for ceramics artists to solidify their connections with each other, as well as providing a forum to discuss the big issues facing the industry.

Nichols will be producing a demonstration on Thursday Making processes, and the significance of form, firing and surface.