A handful of Otago potters will contest New Zealand's premier
pottery prize this week.
Liz Fey, Lynda McNamara, Elise O'Neill, Amanda Shanley, all
of Dunedin, and Marion Mewburn, of Millers Flat, will vie for
the 2011 Premier Portage Ceramic Award.
More than 240 works were submitted by emerging and
established ceramic artists for the awards, which will be
judged by Australian ceramic artist Janet Mansfield.
New Zealand pottery reflected the unique environment in this
country, Ms Mansfield said.
"There is a detail and a quality in many of the works I have
not come across before. The finesse and exquisite care taken
to reproduce native flora and fauna indicate to me that
ceramic practice in New Zealand is in fine form," she said.
"When it comes to making ceramics, New Zealand has a history
of being technically strong. Many of the finalist pieces use
traditional techniques to create contemporary works of a high
standard."
The winner of the $15,000 Premier Portage Award will be
announced in Auckland tomorrow. A runner-up prize and four
merit awards will also be presented.
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