Holding a key symbolic meaning in the history of shaping the Australian identity, they are an antipodean marker of ‘otherness’, and often also provides a sense of unique avifauna character for those from overseas.
“Love Bird” is inspired by the surrounding Australian indigenous avifauna and flora, portraying a celebration of love and adoration for these vivid Australian icons. These beautiful creatures are an instantly recognisable identity held close to Australians. Holding a key symbolic meaning in the history of shaping the Australian identity, they are an antipodean marker of ‘otherness’, and often also provides a sense of unique avifauna character for those from overseas.
Depicted in their equally colourful natural environment, each individual vessel of “Love Bird” combines ceramics and detailed hand paintings, romanticising the representation of Australian birds as a way to enable a personal connection with the indigenous avifauna and within the landscape. A further connection has been realised between the brightly coloured plumages and boisterousness of Australian parrots and faunae of Maricelle Olivier’s birth country of South Africa. Although the parrots are unique to Australia, the essence and creativity of traditional African fabrics and natural patterns found within the South African National Parks align to the dramatic behaviours and patterns of the Australian parrots.
Being entirely immersed deep within the Australian bush the past year, further inspiration has been drawn from the natural landscapes and way-of-life found among the most special parts of central Australia. Maricelle has developed a technique of effectively incorporating some characteristics of the outback onto selected vessels, reflecting the flora and other natural elements realised as a result of living and working as the ceramics studio manager in a remote Aboriginal community at Ernabella Arts in the far north west of South Australia. Little Corellas frequently sprinkle like white snowflakes in the Ghost Gums flanking Ernabella, and flocks of galahs congregate quietly on the ground until disrupted into the chorus of Australia.
It is hoped that when surrounded by these vessels that the soft echoes between Australian Ringneck lovers and the exotic chirps of a Major Mitchell will be faintly heard, creating a picturesque of Australia as the ‘Land of Parrots’.
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Maricelle Olivier was born in South Africa and immigrated to Australia in 2007. Drawing from the journey of immigrating, her work explores the fluctuating tendencies of her cultural identity. Coloration typical of Australian avifauna echoes colourful compositions typical of African fabric patterning and art. Combining her African heritage with the Australian fauna allows an exploration of the sentiments of her identity on the ceramic surface, providing a space to link personal history and geography.
Currently, Maricelle is working as Ceramics Studio Manager for Ernabella Arts Centre, located in a remote Aboriginal community in the far north west of South Australia. Maricelle graduated with a MFA in Ceramics at the National Art School in 2018, and has exhibited in many galleries in Sydney, such as Gaffa Gallery and White Rhino Space. Maricelle’s work has been acquired into the National Art School Collection and City of Sydney collection.
“Love Bird” is inspired by the surrounding Australian indigenous avifauna and flora, portraying a celebration of love and adoration for these vivid Australian icons. These beautiful creatures are an instantly recognisable identity held close to Australians. Holding a key symbolic meaning in the history of shaping the Australian identity, they are an antipodean marker of ‘otherness’, and often also provides a sense of unique avifauna character for those from overseas.
Depicted in their equally colourful natural environment, each individual vessel of “Love Bird” combines ceramics and detailed hand paintings, romanticising the representation of Australian birds as a way to enable a personal connection with the indigenous avifauna and within the landscape. A further connection has been realised between the brightly coloured plumages and boisterousness of Australian parrots and faunae of Maricelle Olivier’s birth country of South Africa. Although the parrots are unique to Australia, the essence and creativity of traditional African fabrics and natural patterns found within the South African National Parks align to the dramatic behaviours and patterns of the Australian parrots.
Being entirely immersed deep within the Australian bush the past year, further inspiration has been drawn from the natural landscapes and way-of-life found among the most special parts of central Australia. Maricelle has developed a technique of effectively incorporating some characteristics of the outback onto selected vessels, reflecting the flora and other natural elements realised as a result of living and working as the ceramics studio manager in a remote Aboriginal community at Ernabella Arts in the far north west of South Australia. Little Corellas frequently sprinkle like white snowflakes in the Ghost Gums flanking Ernabella, and flocks of galahs congregate quietly on the ground until disrupted into the chorus of Australia.
It is hoped that when surrounded by these vessels that the soft echoes between Australian Ringneck lovers and the exotic chirps of a Major Mitchell will be faintly heard, creating a picturesque of Australia as the ‘Land of Parrots’.
...
Maricelle Olivier was born in South Africa and immigrated to Australia in 2007. Drawing from the journey of immigrating, her work explores the fluctuating tendencies of her cultural identity. Coloration typical of Australian avifauna echoes colourful compositions typical of African fabric patterning and art. Combining her African heritage with the Australian fauna allows an exploration of the sentiments of her identity on the ceramic surface, providing a space to link personal history and geography.
Currently, Maricelle is working as Ceramics Studio Manager for Ernabella Arts Centre, located in a remote Aboriginal community in the far north west of South Australia. Maricelle graduated with a MFA in Ceramics at the National Art School in 2018, and has exhibited in many galleries in Sydney, such as Gaffa Gallery and White Rhino Space. Maricelle’s work has been acquired into the National Art School Collection and City of Sydney collection.
