Abby Teuma
Colo High School
PUT DOWN, PASSED ON
Ceramics
Raku clay, mixed glaze and oxide, crackle / lava glaze, natural fibres (crocosmia plant, cedar leaf stem), raffia, hessian, emu feathers
Women's business, especially as a young woman, is central to my body of work. This work represents not only my personal strength but also the collective resilience of Indigenous women. Traditionally, dilly bags were made by Indigenous women during yarning circles, where stories were shared and family bonds deepened. In making dilly bag forms in clay I draw on the natural textures and contours of the land. By working with clay - a strong, enduring material - in place of the softer fibres traditionally used, I convey the enduring strength of women and culture.
My artmaking practice is influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Justine Wellman, Blood Blossom, Ground up [exhibition]; Rosalie Gascoigne / Lorraine Connelly-Northey [collaboration]; Lorraine Connelly-Northey, Kooliman, Possum skin cloak: Blackfella road, String Bag; Tiarna Herczeg, Wuljajiku (Forever), Airspace.
