Jan Alexander

Acknowledgement of Country

I respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters upon which I live, work and create, the Wadawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. I value their inherent, abiding connection to country and their cultural and artistic expression. I pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend this to all Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and First Nation peoples.

May / June events

Creative City Ballarat

The Great Takeaway 24 - DINE AND TAKE

“The Great Takeaway is a chance for visitors to dine amongst some of the finest materials, textiles, glassware and ceramics produced in the Ballarat region – and then be able to take the handcrafted dining setting home with them.

A ticketed event, the Great Takeaway is an exclusively tailored dinner for up to 60 guests who will be seated in the exhibition display of Craft Lab in the heritage venue of the Ballarat Mining Exchange to enjoy a three-course meal with drinks and entertainment.”

Thursday 23 May, 6pm -10pm, Ballarat Mining Exchange. Learn more : www.creativeballarat.com.au/the-great-takeaway-24

2. Exhibitor at Craft Lab 24 “Form & Function” - Ballarat Heritage Festival

Ross Creek Gallery

“Space between movement”

Solo exhibition

01 - 16 June 2024

Opening celebration 01 June, 1pm -4pm. Please diary to join us.

Exhibition open 11-4pm

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 01 - 16 June, or by appointment

183 Post Office Rd Smythes Creek Vic 3351

Jan Alexander, large round, elevated stoneware bowl, hand formed, white glaze with blue markings

Jan Alexander, vase/sculpture, hand manipulated stoneware, blue gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, high sided sculpted bowl, with four feet, stoneware, blue gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, three sculpted conical vessels/vases, Shino glazed, mirrored, clay tones

Jan Alexander, two rippled vases, ultramarine gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, three conical vessels/vases, one large, two small, Shino glazes

Jan Alexander, stoneware vase, sculpted and patterned, blue gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, stoneware cups, no handles, recycled clay, multiple Shino glazes

Jan Alexander, "homeless" stoneware vase, hand formed & patterned, blue gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, stoneware vases , sculpted and patterned, blue gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, small, thrown bowl, blue with white glaze, stoneware

Jan Alexander, hand formed stoneware vase, sculpted and patterned, blue gloss glazes

Jan Alexander, small bowls, matching small cup: black/white; blue/white

Jan Alexander, two decorated, dark clay conical vessels, one with lid, stoneware

Jan is a Melbourne-born ceramic artist whose creative journey is deeply influenced by the history, philosophy, and aesthetics of East Asian ceramics dating from the 15th century.

In homage to this rich tradition, Jan's ceramics are characterised by rhythm and movement, creating a dynamic interaction between form and viewer. The interplay of shapes, lines, and textures within each piece invites observers into a world where aesthetics and history merge seamlessly.

Drawing inspiration from patterns influenced by both human activities and environmental forces, Jan is particularly intrigued by the concept of "the ripple effect." This notion, exploring the ongoing and spreading impact of events and actions, is a central theme in Jan's artistic enquiry.

In Ballarat, designated a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art (2019), Jan completed a Graduate Diploma of Ceramics under the guidance of accomplished mentors Peter Pilven and Koji Hoashi at Federation University, Australia.

Based in her studio and at Federation University as an Alumni in Residence, Jan continues to explore the synergy of form, texture and glaze with hand built and wheel thrown works. Shino and gloss glazes hold a particular interest.

"Formation" lidded vessel, high fire reduction stoneware, Shino glazes

"Ambient" vessel series, mid fire stoneware gloss glazes

Tall vessels, mid fire stoneware blue gloss glazes

Medium vessel, mid fire stoneware, black gloss + gold glazes

Brunswick Street Gallery

“Reclaim”

Stoneware, hand formed bowl, gloss glazes, locally found quartz, copper wire, 13 x 15cm (HxD)

“The fractured bowl embodies a journey to reconstruction post devastation. Of acknowledging reoccurring patterns and feeling the triumph over adversity in reclaiming individuality after trauma. Blues symbolise our profound inner knowing, akin to the ocean's depths, from where waves of understanding resonate, restoring identity and sense of comfort and belonging.” JA

Jan Alexander, hand sculpted vessels, terracotta with white patterns

Reverence I & II

Vessels, terracotta mid-fire stoneware

“The memory of human interaction with nature is held by the earth. Physically and energetically the land responds with an impressionistic resonance of being respected or ravaged.” JA

Brunswick Street Gallery, Store

Vessel with lid, shino glazes white exterior + black interior, heavy reduction. Sold.

Round vessel, gloss glazes, mid fire stoneware. Federation University DVC Art Acquisition Award

Elevated bowl, white + oxides, stoneware mid fire. Sold.

Ripple dish with three feet, white gloss glaze with gold leaf, mid fire stoneware. NFS

Vessels, black gloss glaze, stoneware mid fire

Vessels, blue/green gloss glazes, mid fire stoneware. Sold

Vessels, blue + jade green gloss glaze, earthenware. NFS

The work alludes to Earth’s inherent temporary and permanent undulations created by the movement of wind, and or, water currents. These currents become visible within the ocean, across its surface, upon it’s floor; in cloud formations, geological structures and sand dunes - to name a few.

The patterns formed by these currents are mesmerising, distinguished by their own unique, rhythmic beauty of balance, uniformity of flow and the juxtaposition where ornamental repetition breaks, or simply falls away.

The forms are meant to be touched, to be held, and visually imply a subjective invitation for the mind to rest.