Event26 Oct 2023
Celebrating the ceramics of Janet Beckhouse
Join us to celebrate the work and legacy of Janet Beckhouse in a new exhibition at RMIT Gallery. An esteemed alumna of…
In her own words: The ceramics of Janet Beckhouse
“In my practice, I sculpt clay. It’s the medium I’ve chosen to express myself. The tactile feeling and quality of clay are what I love.”
– Janet Beckhouse
Janet Beckhouse was a master of her craft, working clay into complex and distinct works of art. Her pieces examine the dilemmas of life and death and prompt us to rethink familiar objects with her distinctive almost hallucinatory iconography.
“How can we hope to compete with autumn leaves, a sea breeze, grass blowing in the wind, a sunset, the life cycle of the cicada, the plants and creatures of this world who need nothing more than just exist.”
– Janet Beckhouse
Her hand crafted pieces are ornamental, grand and gruesome while also intimate and delightful in their depiction of shells and mermaids, skulls and worms. A narrative in every work challenging us with a twist of disquiet, some discomfort and a teaspoon of disturbing. Shown alongside key entries and drawings from her journals, discover the delightful process of Janet Beckhouse in her own words.
An esteemed alumna of RMIT’s School of Art, RMIT Gallery is proud to present this exhibition of Janet Beckhouse’s ceramics and journals, to celebrate her profound contribution and legacy.
Curator: Helen Rayment
Image: Janet Beckhouse, Title unknown, 2014. Photography by Stephanie Bradford.
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