Art Matters #51 - Barry Spencer returns
Intro Track: Paprika Pony, Kim Gordon, No Home Record, 2019

Ceramicist and Type designer Barry Spencer came in today to chat all about the 3 and a haf month residency he just completed at Northcote Pottery Supplies.
He told us about how productive it was for him, the slight structure and frame work of being in the space alongside others everyday as well as the permission to be making for hours at a time.
The chance to be introduced to new clays and glazes that maybe he wouldn't have tried before and the interactions with other makers who may or may not have opinions to add.
Barry produced a lot of work in his time at Northcote Pottery Supplies and that allowed him to take more chances and push his work and test things out.
The results are so striking and it is really interesting to follow someones work and see the progression or the way that they move forwards with ideas.

Please go and have a closer look at Barry's work - @speculatype 
and www.barryspencerdesign.com.au

Barry will also be teaching some throwing classes at Northcote Pottery Supplies in the near future - so keep an eye out if you are keen @northcotepotterysupplies
What a treat! Thanks Barry.

Also go and apply for these -

Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award
Entries close midnight (AEST), June 5, 2026
Established in 2009, the annual Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award is organised by the Art Collection and Galleries Unit at Deakin University and celebrates contemporary sculptures from artists around Australia. The prizes are the $15,000 Winner, Acquisitive First Prize; $3,000 non-acquisitive Highly Commended; $3,000 People’s Choice Award; and, in 2026, the inaugural non-acquisitive $5,000 Emerging Sculptors Award. A finalists’ exhibition is held at Deakin University Art Gallery, Melbourne from 24 August to 9 October 2026.

William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize
Entries close June 14, 2026
The richest cash prize for photography in Australia, entries for the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize will be considered from still photo-based media including analogue and digital photography, produced within the last year. Administered by the Museum of Australian Photography, there is a $50,000 acquisitive first prize and $2,500 cash awarded to two Honourable Mentions. All finalists are eligible to be selected for the Wai Tang Commissioning Award, an initiative of the MAPh Foundation as part of the Bowness Photography Prize. The recipient will be awarded $10,000 in cash, with the opportunity to exhibit a body of work in the following year’s Bowness Photography Prize exhibition. One finalist will also be voted as the winner of the People’s Choice Award.

Todays Tracks:
Holy Bones, Bambara
Batakari, Ata Ka

A MASSIVE THANK YOU to all the Art Matters Subscribers:
Little Acres - Ange
Kelly K Sullivan – Collage Artist
Sing Song Ceramics - Selby
Elizabeth Gleeson – Muralist and fine artist
Shirley Dougan – Artist
Natasja - Textile artist
Rajko Grbac (sculptor)
The Forge Institute – Community Group
The Hut Gallery FERNTREE GULLY
Cheech the rescue staffy via Tass & Pottsy from Belgrave 

Please get in touch with us to let us know about your upcoming exhibitions and events.
artmatters97.1fm@gmail.com   or   @artmatters_97.1fm