Introducing a three-day celebration of all things ceramics: Breaking Ground. This June at Objectspace. 

This event series begins with a day-long symposium looking at ceramics practice in Aotearoa today. 

A wealth of practitioners from across the motu will share insights into their work, studios and careers (see programme details below), followed by a keynote lecture from 6pm with international visitor Glenn Barkley.

This symposium is suitable for those just beginning in their ceramics practice and expert mud-slingers alike.

Get your $50 ticket here for full-day access, including to Glenn Barkley's Ockham Lecture

Programme: 

9.00am: Registration and Morning Tea

10.00am: Welcome

10.15am: Panel Discussion: Uku in contemporary practice. A panel of contemporary Māori makers discuss uku and its use in contemporary practice. Including Cora-Allan, Stevei Houkāmau and Tracy Keith. Chaired by Zoe Black

11.30am: Afresh Insights: Three speakers discuss recent projects in quick fire presentations with Sung Hwan Bobby Park, Sarah Harrison and Iza Lozano

12.15pm: Break for Lunch

1.30pm: Q&A: Objectspace Director Kim Paton will interview ceramicist Cheryl Lucas on her career and practice. 

2.45pm: Panel Discussion: The Life of a Ceramicist: four experts will discuss life as a ceramicist from galleries, studios, materials and small business ownership. With Becky Richards, Ben Pyne, Esther McDonald and Yuka O’Shannessy. Chaired by Francis McWhannell.

3.45pm: Afternoon Tea

4.15pm: Afresh Insights: Three speakers discuss recent projects in quick fire presentations with Suzy Dünser, Tracy Keith and Toby Twiss.

5.00pm – 6.00pm: Evening Drink

6:00pm: Ockham Lecture with Glenn Barkley on 'present, future, past, over and over again, now – ceramics in the expanded field.'

This symposium is part of Breaking Ground, a ceramics festival at Objectspace that includes....

Breaking Ground: Ceramics Symposium
10am – 6pm, Thursday 6 June

Breaking Ground: Ockham Lecture with Glenn Barkley
6pm – 7pm, Thursday 6 June

Breaking Ground: Ceramics Workshops
10am – 4pm, Saturday 8 June

Breaking Ground: Ceramics Market
11am – 3pm, Sunday 9 June

Breaking Ground is supported by Auckland Council

Illustration by Scarlett Kean