NEW SOUTH WALES.- The practice of Kate Dorrough sustains a conversation between paint and clay, launching an inquiry into the interplay and tension between the gestural mark and the hand built ceramic form. The artist's recent work explores landscape as metaphor, with its inland river systems a vital source of survival and bestowal of fertility. Dorrough considers the cyclicality of renewal and destruction that defines the land, her painterly gestural marks evoking totemic symbols of this enduring landscape.

In her new exhibition 'The Vessel and the River' Dorrough reflects on the complexities of our relationship with landscape and the connections forged through the river. Her tactile, textural markings take on the form of a language inspired by the rhythmic undercurrent of nature, the vulnerable handwriting of her children and the calligraphic qualities of Ancient text.

Through paintings and ceramics, 'The Vessel and the River' invites viewers on a multi-sensory journey, engaging with the visual, tactile, and conceptual dimensions of our relationship with the natural world. Dorrough's artistic endeavour acts as a catalyst for contemplation, prompting us to reflect on the delicate balance between human existence and the vastness of nature. It reminds us of the profound significance that rivers hold as conduits for both physical and metaphorical journeys, carrying with them the weight of collective memories and the timeless flow of life itself. By intertwining elements of nature, personal expression, and ancient calligraphic traditions, Dorrough's exhibition presents a rich tapestry of meanings and emotions. It invites us to immerse ourselves in the interconnectedness of our existence, forging a deeper appreciation for the landscapes that surround us.

"I have always loved the inland river, ever since my childhood, swimming and floating in the mysterious depths of the gum leaf ochre and umber stained rivers of country NSW. The surrounding bush landscape and the sky is reflected upon its surface, with the echo of bird calls. The river is a giver of life, its course running from mountain origins to the sea." - Kate Dorrough

Dorrough has been awarded a number of residencies including Cementa24 Artist Residency (2023), La Macina di San Cresci, Italy (2018), Art Vault (2011), the Hill End Artists Residency (2005), Bundanon Trust (1999) and the Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris (1999). She has been a finalist in a number of awards including the Calleen Art Award (2019, 2018), North Sydney Art Prize (2022, 2019), Northern Beaches Environmental Art & Design Prize (2023, 2022, 2021), Muswellbrook Art Prize (2019, 2015), Paddington Art Prize (2021, 2018, 2012, 2011, 2007), Mosman Art Prize (2019, 2012, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1995), Portia Geach Memorial Award (2004, 2001, 1992), Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize (2010, 2008), Sawmillers Sculpture Prize (2022, 2010), Clunes Ceramic Art Award (2010), and was selected for the Australian Ceramics Association Biennial Exhibition (2014). Dorrough’s work is also held in various public and private collections around Australia, including Campbelltown Art Gallery, Sony Music Entertainment, Grafton Regional Gallery, Bathurst Regional Gallery and Melbourne Casino.

Dorrough will also exhibit a major survey show alongside her mother and artist Heather Dorrough at Manly Art Gallery and Museum opening 1 September until Sunday 8 October.

Arthouse Gallery
'The Vessel and the River'
July 27th, 2023 - August 12th, 2023