“There’s screaming happening”: Pottery exhibition depicts the violence of the conflict in Gaza

A POTTERY exhibition responding to the ongoing conflict in Gaza has opened in central Geelong.

Moolap-based ceramicist Storm Bucek said the motivation for the exhibition was an emotional one.

“I was making things for Christmas, getting ready for Christmas sales and making things, and with that going on in the world, in such an extreme way, I just lost my motivation to make things that were pretty and sweet,” she said.

“I was paralysed for a while and didn’t make anything and then I started having these visions of these pots that were the result of the images that I was seeing, so I just went with it.”

The result is If I must die, let it bring hope, an exhibition divided into two collections.

The first is a series of pieces depicted war and violence.

A large piece represents a bomb crater.

Smaller pieces depict the buildings that crumbled in the bombing.

A deep, copper red glaze drips down from the top of these pots, reminiscent of blood; a dramaticisation Bucek said was intended to highlight the “suffering that those bombed buildings actually caused the humans in there that were crushed or blown apart”.

“I think that art should say something, so yeah, I have a lot to say.

“Every pot says something and if these one’s scream, well there’s screaming happening right now.”

The second collection delves into Palestinian culture, drawing inspiration from traditional tetreez embroidery motifs and sgraffito, an etching technique used in pottery.

She said that the exhibition is an “expression of human suffering” and is not intended to suggest she has taken a side in the conflict.

She does, however, hope the emotion that went into the creation of each piece is imparted on those who visit the installation.

“It’s one thing to see something on a screen, but…seeing something as an artist’s interpretation and something that’s actually tangible, that you can pick up and touch, has a different energy,” she said.

“I’m hoping for an emotional impact to possibly inspire or change something in that person.”

All of Bucek’s proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to the Gaza Children’s Fund, and visitors are encouraged to use the QR codes at the venue to donate directly to the organisation.

“You buy a pot and maybe you feed a family for a week,” she said.

“It’s like a direct line from the interaction of purchasing an artwork to helping somebody.”

The exhibition is housed at the Hue and Cry gallery at 64-66 Ryrie Street, Geelong and will run until March 30.

For more information, head to hueandcry.com.au