Janet DeBoos (Australia)

Using fine porcelain, Janet DeBoos creates intriguing works of grouped vessels which make reference to the domestic tradition and explore the ideas of manual skill in craft practice. She has a long career in teaching and is currently Head of Ceramics at the National Art School, Sydney Australia. She has published a number of books on ceramics and glazes, has worked on collaborative projects with industry, and has lectured and conducted workshops internationally including Australia, North America and China.

Statement:

"My practice has always been centred on domestic ceramics, the processes by which it comes into being and the performative aspects of use by which it gets ‘remade’. I have since the mid 1980’s regularly exhibited work that presented these usually private acts publicly. In this respect I feel that I have made a valuable contribution to the way in which domestic (and functional) ceramics is exhibited and perceived, and have been an influence in the reappraisal of what might be considered as a suitable vehicle for ceramic art practice.

I have worked with other media (sound and video/film) to examine the nature of production, and with other materials (polystyrene and disposable plastics) to examine the way we use things. Since 1996 I have been involved in the examination of what is ‘lost’ (if anything) when ceramics is no longer handmade. (The importance of ‘handling’ may not be in the making, but only in the use).

To this end I have been involved in two projects where I have been the designer, rather than the maker. The first of these was with a Milan-based company Paola C Ceramics (www.paolac.com) at the invitation of Aldo Cibic, the chief designer. I did not go to the factory at all- this was a ‘hands off’ experiment, although I have a standing invite to go there. The second was at the invitation of a bone china company in PRC, where an ongoing project will explore the same questions. This project is very ‘hands-on’ and I work closely with both the mould makers and factory workers as the pieces are produced, and adjusted. I have been particularly interested in the way that the change in material (porcelain to bone china) affects changes in the product. I have also researched and delivered many papers at conferences about the role of (manual) skill in craft practice."