Robyn Phelan

Robyn Phelan is an artist based in Melbourne, Australia.  

Working from the Elm Place Ceramics Studios, Robyn is also an avid writer and observer of Australian contemporary ceramics, pottery and art. 


Artist Statement 
Critiques on ceramic, craft and art history, a sense of place and formal sculptural issues inform my work. 
When making, each form begets the next, until groupings are formed. The process of choice and composition of the final display is highly considered and crucial to the personal narratives I wish to convey. 
Each object makes obvious the marks of the skilled hand on clay with craft knowledge as the foundation of my material practice. I use the traditional technique of ceramics. Pinching and coiling of stoneware and porcelain is finished with a variety of artist made stains and glazes. 
Ceramic objects, by their very permanence, are keepers of memories and tangible holders of stories. 


Acknowledgement of Country 
I acknowledge the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. I respectfully acknowledge their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging.  
I made work based on the land that I live on, teach about creative practice on Kulin Nationa land and care for my family, friends and community through listening, sharing and making, I acknowledge that this sharing of words is happening in the home of one of the longest continuous cultures of oral story telling on the planet.  

 

2004-2010     Bachelor of Fine Art (Ceramics) 1st Class Honours, RMIT 
1997                 Postgraduate Diploma of Fine Art (Art Curatorship and Museum Management), University of Melbourne 
1983-1987      Bachelor of Education (Arts and Crafts), Melbourne College of Advanced Education