Alistair's Porcelain
My porcelain is made using techniques originally developed in China
for imperial wares. Japanese porcelain masters studied their techniques
and have preserved what in some cases has been lost in China. In
essence, this way of making focuses on the interior shape of the
form being made. Precisely carved wooden tools and measures, made
by the potter, are used to assist in the 'throwing'. These tools
are called the kote and hera, and the tonbo measure. Wares are externally
turned when nearly dry to mirror the internal shape. Great precision
is possible, though skill and many years training are needed. The
finished wares when fired have many of the qualities of crystal.
There is a high pitched resonance when tapped and a translucency,
prized as a sign of quality denoting fine porcelain. With care, these
wares will last many lifetimes.
Having learnt my skills in Japan, I work in a tranquil setting in
country Victoria with mountainous surroundings that are well suited
to making porcelain. I have been working over 25 years in my art and
have acquired unique knowledge and experience. I believe strongly in
the functional, and the enrichment ceramic art can bring.
--Alistair Whyte
Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
- 1980
- Matsuya Department Store, Tokyo, Japan
- 1981
- Gallery Washio, Tokyo, Japan
- 1983
- "Potters Cottage Prize Show", Warrandyte, Victoria
- 1984
- Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne / The Craft Centre, Toorak, Melbourne / Australian Craftworks, The Rocks, Sydney
- 1985
- Gryphon Gallery, Melbourne / Form and Function Exhibition, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne / Hargraves Street Gallery, Castlemaine, Victoria
- 1986
- The Potters Society Gallery, Darlinghurst, Sydney / Castlemaine
Art Gallery - Ceramic Acquisition Award Exhibition
- 1987
- Two Man Show, "The Japanese Connection", Gryphon Gallery, Melbourne / Paint Spot Gallery, Bendigo, Victoria / Potter's Gallery, Brisbane, QLD / Form and Function 2, "The Bowl" at the Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne
- 1988
- The Potter's Gallery - Brisbane, QLD / The Potters Gallery, Darlinghurst, Sydney / Beaver Gallery, Canberra / Back to the Future, Travelling Exhibition, Victoria Arts Craft '88 / Bicentennial Exhibition Expo 88, QLD / Diamond Valley Artists Award Exhibition, Victoria / Victorian Ceramic Group, Exhibition, Melbourne / Arts and Crafts Society Exhibition, Melbourne
- 1989
- Form and Function 3, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne / Etherling's of Malmsbury, Exhibition / Victoria Ceramic Group Exhibition - AMP Building, Melbourne / "Precious Little" (porcelain boxes) Exhibition / Victorian Ceramic Group, Melbourne / Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award, New Zealand
- 1990
- Teapot Show "Going Potty", Distelfink Gallery, Hawthorn, Melbourne / Australian Crafts 1990, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne / Tea for Two Exhibition, Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne / Alice 125 Exhibition, Curated by Gryphon Gallery, Melbourne / Teapots and One Off Teacups, Victoria Ceramic Group, Melbourne
- 1991
- Potters Gallery QLD, "To A Smaller Scale" and "Teapots" / Winter Exhibition, Grey Street Gallery, Hamilton, Victoria
- 1992
- Winterfest Exhibition, Warburton, Vic / Group Show., Gallery "Artefact", Chapel Street, Melbourne /
- 1993
- Teapot Exhibition, Distelfink Gallery, Hawthorn, Melbourne / Porcelain Exhibition, Macquarie Galleries, Sydney / Teaset Exhibition, Customs House Gallery, Warrnambool, Vic / National Ceramic Teapot Award, L'Unique Gallery, Adelaide, SA / "Out of the kitchen' Tableware Exhibition, Lismore Art Gallery, NSW
- 1994
- THE TEAPOT SHOW. Distelfink Gallery, Melbourne / The Bowled and the Beautiful, National Bowl Show, THE DOOR Exhibition Space, Fremantle WA
- 1996
- Tea for Two Exhibition of teapots at the China Tea Club, Canberra / During the 8th National Ceramics Conference
- 1996
- The Madhatter's Tea party . Framed. The Darwin Gallery / Melbourne Meat Market Christmas Show / Melbourne Town Hall Foyer with Textile Artist Heather Beech
- 1998
- Ceramics & Glass Circle of Aust. ~ “Willows and Windmills” Travelling exhibition; Ballarat, Hamilton & Geelong Art Galleries
- 1999
- Contempory Australian Porcelain Exhibition, Beaver Galleries Canberra / Various group shows ~ Perth, during National Ceramic Conference
- 2000
- Australian Ceramic Collection - Gallery Ichibankan - Fukuoka, Japan / National Trust - Dame Nancy Buttfield Award for Decorative Arts Inaugral Exhibition
- 2001
- Bowled Over- Exhibition, Freemantle Arts Centre WA / Porcelain Art into the New Mellennium - Canberra Museum and Gallery / Lucky Escape - two man exhibition, Wyreena Arts Centre Croydon Vic / Southern Ice Exhibition, Daimaru Department Store Melbourne
- 2002
- “Of This Country” - Darwin Entertainment Centre
-
Masters Exhibition - Skepsi Gallery Melbourne
- 2003
Imperial Porcelain 4317 - Skepsi Gallery Melbourne
-
Connections 45 – Potters Gallery Warrandyte
- 2004
Imperial Porcelain 4317 Encore! - Skepsi Gallery Melbourne
-
Winter Exhibition – Porcelain, Cudgeong Gallery Gulgong NSW /The Victorian Connection – Ceramic Art Gallery
-
Sydney / Celebrating the Master II – Skepsi on Swanston, Melbourne
- 2006
New Delhi group exhibition of Victorian Potters
-
Solo Exhibitions
- 1980
- Gallery Soware, Kyoto, Japan
- 1982
- Gallery Maronie, Kyoto, Japan / Sturt Workshops, Mittagong, NSW
- 1983
- Potters Society Gallery, Darlinghurst, Sydney
- 1984
- Design 3 Gallery, Melbourne
- 1985
- Rosies Gallery, Sth Melbourne
- 1986
- The Craft Centre, Toorak, Melbourne
- 1988
- Distelfink Gallery, Hawthorn, Melbourne / The Potter's Gallery, Darlinghurst, Sydney
- 1989
- Balmoral Gallery, Geelong
- 1990
- Ciclopii Gallery, Armadale, Melbourne / Gulf Station, National Trust Property, Yarra Glen, Victoria
- 1991
- Victoria Ceramic Group "Potter of The Month" Exhibition / Meat Market Craft Centre, Melbourne
- 1992
- Distelfink Gallery, Hawthorn, Melbourne
- 1997
- Distelfink Gallery, High St. Armadale, Melbourne
- 1998
- Bethany Art Gallery SA
- 2000
- Noels Gallery, Mornington Victoria
- 2001
- Southern Ice Exhibition, Daimaru Depatment Store Melbourne
- 2002
Japanese Consul General Melbourne
- 2003
Gallerie Hors-Saison
- 2005
Steps Gallery Melbourne (30 year exhibition)
-
Grants, Awards and Representations
Grants
- 1979
- Kyoto University of Arts, Monbusho Scholarship
- 1981
- Australian Crafts Board Study Grant. - Katsuno Hirokuni Studio, Kyoto
- 1983
- Australian Crafts Board - Workshop Development Grant
- 1988
- Arts Victoria , Arts Leaders 2011 Grant
Awards
- 1980
- Kyoto University of Arts, Tomimoto Prize
- 1983
- Potters Cottage Prize, Warrandyte, Melbourne - Commendation
- 1988
- Art Craft '88 Exhibition, Melbourne Showgrounds, First Prize
& Special Prize for Best Exhibit of Ceramic Art Craft '88
Represented
National Gallery of Victoria
Hamilton Regional Gallery,
Victoria
Diamond Valley Artists' Collection,
Victoria
Queensland Potters' Society Collection
Victoria
ceramic Group Permanent Collection
Queen Victoria Museum, Luanceston, Tasmania
Art gallery of Tasmania, Hobart