Global stage a vessel for growth

DESPITE working with ceramics for some four decades, visual artist Marian Fox considers herself an emerging exhibitor.

Though she’s yet to host her own solo show, two of Fox’s vessels are set to be displayed to international audiences as part of the Jinju Traditional Crafts Biennale.

Fox has been invited to attend the opening of the show, which will run throughout the entire month of November in South Korea.

She said she’s overwhelmed at having her work featured on a global scale.

“I feel extremely honoured and really surprised,” she said. “It’s a real thrill that they felt connected to my work.

“I submitted five images of different works. Both are two large-ish pots. One’s about 45 centimetres high and 35 wide and kind of a pot-shaped form. The other’s a little smaller and rounder.”

Working as a nurse for the past 25 years, Fox has been interested “on and off” in ceramics since she was about 16.

She said she was driven to get more involved with creating after completing her visual arts degree at Federation University in 2019 where she took part in that year’s EYE program highlighting creative graduates.

Her works have since featured in Australian Ceramics’ Open Studios program and the 1000 Vases show in Paris as well as this year’s Craft Lab during the Ballarat Heritage Festival.

Fox said she’s excited to see how her time in South Korea influences her creativity.

“It’s going to be the biggest learning curve of my life,” she said.

“It’ll be wonderful to meet makers from other countries, to see what they’re producing and how they’re doing it. I’m so excited to see the quality of what will be on display.

“I hope it will take me in a new direction whether it’s in terms of how to get my work out there or even the making of it itself.”

Based in Mount Clear, Fox said her immediate surroundings are the key inspiration behind her works.

“Nature is a big influence for me,” she said. “The colours can be so contrasting but work so well.

“I’m very interested in primitive art as well and also street art. I love the block colours and bold statements in shape and colour.

“Everywhere I see potential in the forms around me. Ceramics is definitely my calling. I love the hands-on tactile experience.”