For Townsville-based ceramicist Tony Di Giacomo, the North Queensland Ceramic Awards (NQCA) is more than a competition – it's a platform for the recently announced finalists to come together and showcase the region's talents.
Open to artists both nationally and internationally, the awards will celebrate its 44th edition this year with 84 finalistscompeting for the acquisitive $10,000 City of Townsville Art Collection Award and the $1,000 People's Choice Award.
Mr Di Giacomo is a finalist in the competition with his piece Golden Dream. He said pottery had been a lifelong interest that has spun into a passion in the last decade.
"My introduction to clay started when I was 18 when I participated in some fun night classes at university," Mr Di Giacomo said.
"I still have a tiny vase I made back then. It was only when I was transferred to Coen as a teacher that I discovered that someone had a pottery wheel in their shed that they weren't using. So, with a bag of clay and a tiny kiln, I kept myself occupied.
"Over the next 25 or so years, pottery only fitted in between work, kids and transfers to various locations. It wasn't until after 2016 when I had a break from work that I actually immersed myself into pottery. Now that I am retired from work, it has become more than a hobby and I'm busier than ever."
Mr Di Giacomo said the competition went much further than claiming a prize – to him, it was all about banding together as artists.
"I first entered in the NQCA in 2018 and had a piece exhibited then. Since then I have entered each time and have been lucky to have a piece on display each time. This year marks the fourth time," he said.
"There are many talented potters and as the competition is open to anyone in Australia and beyond, we get to see such a diverse range of entries of a very high standard. For me, it is all about the opportunity to be exhibited. I don't see it as a competition but being part of a gallery of works."
The artist's signature is crystalline glaze, a ceramic glaze where crystals form during the kiln firing process. His work Golden Dream includes this technique.
"The top of the piece is covered in a gold lustre, which leads to the first part of the title. The crystalline glaze on this piece is not as distinctive as other glazes I use. It is quite subtle and hazy giving it a dreamy feeling…which leads to the second part of the title," he said.
"I first started working with normal stoneware glazes but always wanted to try crystalline glazes after seeing a vase many years ago covered in beautiful crystals.
"It took me over six months to have any real success with this glaze. I read books, searched the internet and tried so many recipes. There is a science to making the glaze work and now that I am successful in using this glaze, there is no turning back to anything.
"I still have so much to learn but I love seeing nature at work in my kiln, creating beautiful crystals in so many variations…and no piece will ever be identical. It simply is a magical glaze."
Councillor Liam Mooney said the NQCA was one of the country's foremost ceramics competitions.
"Council is very proud to work with the North Queensland Potters Association to bring this biennial exhibition to Perc Tucker Regional Gallery," Cr Mooney said.
"We have a strong contingent of local artists represented in our finalists, but we have also welcomed works from ceramicists from right across the country. This just goes to show what a strong reputation the North Queensland Ceramic Awards has, and what this competition means for ceramics in Australia.
"As a council we're committed to provide opportunities for local artists to grow their practice. The NQCA is a perfect example of local and national artists exhibiting together in our world-class visual art facility at Perc Tucker Regional Gallery."
The North Queensland Ceramic Awards will run from Friday 18 October until Sunday 16 February next year.
To see the full list of North Queensland Ceramic Awards finalists and for information on visiting Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.
