SHOSHIN, a Zen word referring to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, just as a beginner would, is the inspiration for Sawtell ceramics group’s next exhibition.

The ceramics ‘club’ was named MAGIC back in 2014 when the group formed a creative connection, “because every time we met magic happened”, founder Maryanne Heslop told News Of The Area

The ceramicists are currently prepping for the SHOSHIN exhibition which opens in November.

“The last two years being what they were, we decided on the name Shoshin, a Zen word meaning ‘to look at the world with wonder and beginner’s mind’.

“We’ve had a lot of time to beach comb and really mindfully look at our amazing environs and respond with our magic clay.

“As many times we could not meet, we found we had a lot of separate bits and pieces of clay, which we began to piece together as we also pieced together our stories and lives in these strange times.

“We created the Peace Pot or Piece Pot with lots of feelings, not quite knowing where we were going, but imbuing each one with our ‘mana’ spirit and the textures of the sea.

“Much inspiration was drawn from the seaweed, the sponges and driftwood on the beach.”

In 2017 MAGIC’s inaugural exhibition was called Beached and focused on being on the beach, featuring themes of bikini girls, towels and swimming.

In 2019 the Adrift exhibition focused more on the creative process, fantasy and boats.

“Our exhibitions take place every second year at our beautiful little, local Sawtell Art Gallery,” said Maryanne.

“Using the exhibition platform, we have some fun and raise funds for our community.

“We have made group works to be raffled and a percentage of all our sales is donated to local needs.”

Shoshin opens on Saturday 13 November and runs until 27 November and “everyone is welcome”.

The group also has fun playing on their name, MAGIC as an acronym for whatever their mood may be…Majestic Alluring Goddesses Impressive Courage…that’ll do nicely.

 

By Andrea FERRARI