Bettina Willner’s practice considers the connection between material, form, nature, architecture, and memory within contemporary ceramics. Characteristics of her sculptural pieces include organic and geometric structures, textural and glistening glazes, gestural hand-building techniques. These in combination produce objects that sit between sculpture, painting, and drawing.
On a personal level, these works connect the artist to her memories of ancient cities and rugged coastlines, especially of the architectures found there, some human-made, others natural. In turn, the ornamental scale of her work concentrates the energy of these often vast architectures, making them intimate. Furthermore, the cyclical and repetitive nature of the artist’s work also evokes a wider connection to making within the continuum of everyday life. From this inquiry, Willner’s work sits between the diminutive and the encompassing, sculpture and drawing, classicism and abstraction, chaos and control.
b. 1969, based in Melbourne, Australia.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2021
Group show, Ob-ject Re-form, The Hue and Cry Collective, Geelong
NGV Melbourne Design Week, Modern Times
2020
Group show, Smalls, Otomys Contemporary, Melbourne
Eterne with Katie Daniels, Saint Cloche, Sydney
Sydney Contemporary Presents, Virtual presentation
Melbourne Art Fair, Virtual presentation
Rock, with Virginia Cummins, Tinning Street Presents, Melbourne
Holiday Dreaming (group) – Saint Cloche, Sydney
Rock (solo) – Tinning Street Presents, Melbourne Melbourne Design Week (group) – Modern Times, Melbourne
2019
The Wandering Room (group) – Melbourne
2018
Presence (group) – Melbourne
Spring 1883 (Art Fair) – Dutton, New York
Sometimes Strong (solo) – Sarah Scout, Melbourne 2017
Line and Curve (solo) – Red Gallery, Melbourne. 2016
Genuine Relic (group) – Seventh Gallery, Melbourne 2003
Pieces (group) – NinetySix, Melbourne
2002
Women’s Salon (group) – Counihan Gallery, Melbourne
1991
Show Of Hands (group) – Monash University Gallery, Melbourne
EDUCATION
Bachelor of fine art, Monash University, Melbourne Australia (1988-1991)
Certificate of Art and Design, Wangaratta T.A.F.E 1987
RESIDENCIES, AWARDS & PUBLIC ART PROJECTS
2019: Residency International Ceramic Studio, ICS Hungary
2019: Noel Counihan Commemorative Art Award – Counihan Gallery, Melbourne
2001: Public Art Project – Moreland Council, Melbourne
1992: Finalist, Walker’s Award – Arts Centre, Gallery One, Melbourne.
Currently open
online or by
appointment only
