Wheel Skills & Building with Slabs with Suvira McDonald

In this workshop Suvira McDonald will cover:

• Introduction to how he approaches a typical firing cycle;
• throwing small pots off the hump;
• throwing a series of medium sized works;
• rolling slabs to prepare for sculptural assemblies;
• throwing a large pot in sections and assembling them;
• Trimming, as weather allows, both on the wheel and by hand carving;
• Review of participants work as we progress

The format will essentially take the form of demonstrations followed by observation and commentary on participants’ workings. With much of Suvira’s thrown work it involves altered forms at various stages of drying so there will be frequent exchanges and discussion intermittent throughout the time together.

If time permits Suvira will present images of works over the last 10 years or so and will have examples of some of the more recent pieces on hand to promote discussion.

The workshop will be held over two days at the Made OF Australia Studio (Stapylton):

• Saturday, 27 May, 2023, 9:30am-4pm; AND
• Sunday, 28 May, 2023, 9:30am-4pm.

$500 for members; $545 for non-members. 

Members, please ensure that you are first logged in, and then use the discount code ‘memberfee’ at checkout to secure your place at the member rate. Not a member? Join via our website here.

About Suvira McDonald

A practicing visual artist for nearly 30 years, Suvira’s previous career spanned 20 years in theatre investigating choreography, directing, design, physical performance, and administration. The spatial considerations inherent to both choreography and sculpture predisposed an affinity for visual art study, so when life circumstances catalysed an interest in clay as an expressive medium the ceramic studies began.

McDonald was awarded a Diploma in ceramics from Lismore TAFE in 1994 and, building on a degree in Commerce (UNSW) from 1970, was granted candidacy and subsequently awarded a Masters Degree in Visual Art from Southern Cross University (SCU) in 2000.

He has been a teacher of ceramics and sculpture for 20 years including sessional work at SCU. Throughout this time he has conducted a ceramics practice with multiple areas of research. He has received awards and been acquired into public collections for this work.

www.suviramcdonald.com