A Month in the Country is a collaborative project between two potters: LAURIE STEER and TONY SLY.
Presented by TIM MELVILLE during Aotearoa Art Fair’s TENT weekend it can be seen at the Tony SlyPottery store on Raglan Wharf from Friday 05 November to Sunday 07 November 2021.
Laurie and Tony have been friends for many years and often discuss their complementary approaches to pottery – Tony thriving on production and Laurie on the creation of one-off pieces.
On a recent visit by Laurie to Tony’s Raglan home the potters planned a collaboration – one where Tony would create versions of his domestic pottery and Laurie would perform “interventions” upon them, colonising the vessels with his trademark dog-heads, spikes and piercings.
Ten artworks emerged from their project: ten Frankenstein mash-ups of Sly’s signature calm restraint and Steer’s exuberant raw energy. The titles of the works are also Frankenstein-esque: 30 words; 10 each chosen by Steer, Sly and Melville, randomly combined.
Alongside the Sly/Steer collaboration at Raglan Wharf will be a suite of 5 small oil paintings by Otorohanga-based artist HIRIA ANDERSON.
Anderson is of Rereahu, Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Apakura descent and herpainting practice focuses on the everyday lives of the people in her community. She pays close attention to family relationships as well as to the politics and environments that reveal nuance and connection between Māori culture and 21st century life.
In an interview for HERE magazine Melville described Anderson’s subjects as “things that we all recognise but we don’t notice … seeing them painted with such aroha and care you think about your own life … she brings us together.”
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Scary Viagra Bucket
2021
glazed ceramic
250mm H x 160mm Dia
PRIVATE COLLECTION
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Te Ugly Stamp
2021
glazed ceramic
15mm H x 395mm W x 250mm D
PRIVATE COLLECTION
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Unexpected Insomnia Foot
2021
glazed ceramic
50mm H x 325mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Brutal Saddle Conduit
2021
glazed ceramic
85mm H x 140mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
For All to See
2021
glazed ceramic
30mm H x 310mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Spiky Turbine Roller
2021
glazed ceramic
105mm H x 225mm W x 120mm D
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Pointy Cost Wrestler
2021
glazed ceramic
55mm H x 310mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Insane Pug Tulip
2021
glazed ceramic
30mm H x 270mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Dangerous Sheep Bag
2021
glazed ceramic
245mm H x 160mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Twisted Maybe Shelf
2021
glazed ceramic
30mm H x 460mm W x 330mm D
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Tent
2021
installation view
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Tent
2021
installation view
Hiria Anderson-Mita
Kauta on Turongo St
2021
installation view
Hiria Anderson-Mita
Kauta on Turongo St
2021
oil on canvas
350mm H x 300mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Hiria Anderson-Mita
Waiting for a Phone Call
2021
oil on canvas
350mm H x 300mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Hiria Anderson-Mita
Sitting Reading Waiting
2021
oil on canvas
230mm H x 330mm W (frame)
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Hiria Anderson-Mita
Orange and Oregano
2021
oil on canvas
250mm H x 300mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Hiria Anderson-Mita
They Were a Lovely Couple
2021
oil on canvas
280mm H x 280mm W (frame)
PRIVATE COLLECTION
Tent
2021
installation view
Hiria Anderson-Mita
Tent
2021
installation view
Hiria Anderson-Mita
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Tent
2021
installation view
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Tent
2021
ceramic glaze before firing
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Pointy Cost Wrestler (detail)
2021
glazed ceramic
55mm H x 310mm Dia
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Tent
2021
installation view
LAURIE STEER & TONY SLY
Tent
2021
installation view