CELEBRATING THE VIBRANT WORLD OF CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS IN AOTEAROA - PORTAGE CERAMIC AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Moleta (Te Aumiti Series) by Mandy Gargiulo. Image courtesy of the artist.

Te Uru is proud to announce the finalists of the highly anticipated Portage Ceramic Awards 2023, a prestigious annual event dedicated to showcasing the vibrant world of contemporary ceramics in Aotearoa. This year's 46 finalists will have their remarkable works on display at Te Uru, Titirangi from 24 November 2023 – 3 March 2024, offering a unique and fascinating insight into the rich diversity of contemporary ceramic practices.
 
The Portage Ceramic Awards has attracted talent from across the country, making this year's selection an exciting journey through the innovative and varied clay art forms that New Zealand artists have to offer. Artists are now available for interview in the lead up to the announcement of the winner at the awards night on 23 November.
 
Award-winning ceramic artist John Parker has been confirmed as the judge of this year’s Portage Ceramic Awards. As a Waitākere local and active member in Aotearoa’s ceramic community, Parker has a long history with the Portage Ceramic Awards. He has entered many times himself and was the recipient of the Portage John Green Waitakere Artist Award in 2007.
 
Now running for more than 20 years, the Portage Ceramic Awards have become renowned for its inclusivity, welcoming both established and emerging New Zealand artists whose work spans a broad spectrum of inspiration and clay traditions. This year the awards attracted an impressive 238 entries.
 
Over summer each year the exhibition of finalists sees thousands of visitors step through the Te Uru doors, offering a vital platform to showcase the wide variety of contemporary clay practices in Aotearoa. “The Portage Ceramic Awards have snowballed in popularity since their inception 22 years ago. The exhibition has become a calendar event on a national scale and is a tradition we are proud to continue. As the new gallery director this is my first experience behind the scenes of this phenomenal exhibition. It is heartening to see the support Te Uru has from the community for presenting this annual celebration of ceramic practice.” says Te Uru’s Director, Adrienne (AD) Schierning.
 
The 2023 Portage Ceramic Awards finalists are: Debbie Barber, Franca Bertani, Blue Black, Maak Bow, Michelle Bow, Annette Bull, Anna Campbell, Didi Chapman, Peter Collis, Julie Cromwell, Andrea du Chatenier, Suzy Dunser, Debbie Fleming, Dominique Ford, Mel Ford, Darryl Frost, Renate Galetzka, Kirsty Gardiner, Mandy Gargiulo, Pru Gudex, Evelyn Hodowany, Jino Jeong, Elise Johnston, Chuck Joseph, Ted Kindleysides, Nicole Kolig, Judith Lauvao, Yueh Luo, Kylie Matheson, Marama Mayrick, Annie Mciver, Matt And Kate Mclean, Jackie Muller, Sung Hwan Bobby Park, Aidan Raill, Kit Rennie, Louise Rive, John Roy, Rick Rudd, Takaaki Sakaguchi, Mary Schollum, Aaron Scythe, Liz Sharek, Annie Smits Sandano, Sarah Urwin and Teresa Watson.
 
More information about the awards can be found at www.teuru.org.nz/whats-on/portage-ceramic- awards/

PORTAGE CERAMIC AWARDS 2023 EVENTS 
Winners announced: 23 November 2023
Judge’s floor talk: 11am, 2 December 2023

Event: Portage Ceramic Awards 2023
When: 24 November 2023 – 3 March 2024
Where: Te Uru, 420 Titirangi Road, Titirangi, Tāmaki Makaurau
Web: teuru.org.nz