Community
26 April, 2024
Artist shares space for exploring clay
ONE local artist has recently opened up a space for others to experiment with her preferred medium.
Ceramics artist Yonie Tiljak has opened Earthen Soul Studio Gallery in Manifold Street, Camperdown, and is eager to power up her kiln and fire up some more works.
“I’ve been away for a few years, and I’ve just come back to the area in the last couple of years,” she said.
“Pretty much, since I’ve been back in the area, I’ve been doing ceramic art.
“I recently moved out to Pomborneit, and I couldn’t have my kiln at the house there because the power isn’t very reliable.
“My landlord happened to also have this shop, and offered for me to use this shop space, to rent that off him. I’ve got my old kiln hooked up in the corner, so I can do the firings, and I set up a studio and gallery space to show off what I do.”
Ceramics are artworks created through a process called pottery, which involves shaping clay before firing it at high temperatures in a kiln.
The art process is believed to date back to around 20,000 BC, when pieces served both a functional and aesthetic purpose.
Since her return to the area, Ms Tiljak has already won a prize at a recent art event in Colac.
Her sculpture, “Bending over backwards”, won the 2024 Colac Otway Arts showcase and exhibition in the open sculpture category.
Mis Tiljak said her studio gallery was always open to people willing to give ceramics a go.
“I’ve started offering classes as well because I have this nice room to be able to offer people to come and have a bit of a play with the clay and make different things,” she said.
“I’ve also got it open so artists can come in and use the studio space to freestyle; they can just do their own thing in here and use my materials and my glazers, and then I fire their pieces for them.
“One of the biggest challenges I found when I started ceramics was the fact that I didn’t have my own kiln, and that can really stop you from being able to explore the medium.
“I just wanted to make my space and my kiln accessible to people, so they can get into ceramic art and see if that’s something that works for them.”
Bookaar poet Joan Mahony attended one of Ms Tiljak’s workshops, and said she was amazed at the works displayed in the gallery.
“We’re very, very lucky, because Yonie is very talented,” she said.
Ms Tiljak’s studio and gallery, much like her personality, is light, bright and inviting for those eager to give ceramics a go.
She said her studio and gallery space was not the only thing that is inviting, with positive feedback from the community.
“It’s just been really nice being here, where the community can just come in and have a chat,” she said.
“I’ve just wanted to thank everyone that has popped in, because I’ve had some really nice words about what I’m doing and that’s been really encouraging.
“When you start on a business venture, especially when you’re putting your art out there, it can be a bit scary because it’s a bit of a personal thing.
“I’ve had a fair bit of self-doubt on how I’d be received in the community, but I’ve had some really nice feedback and that’s been really nice and encouraging.”
Ms Tiljak writes details of workshops, opening time changes and other details on her door, but is always open to walk-ins for those who would like to learn more.
Ms Tiljak said clay was a good medium for anyone to work with, regardless of creative experience.
“You can create something that looks really nice just by learning some basic techniques,” she said.
“It doesn’t have to be something that’s scary or out of reach because it’s achievable. It’s just a matter of having access to the right equipment and just a little bit of knowledge to get you started.
“You can pretty much create anything you can imagine, which is cool.
Earth Soul Studio and Gallery is open Wednesday to Friday between 10am and 4pm and is open for the Rotary markets from 9am to 1pm on the first Sunday of each month.