Totem-like sculptures – shaped by digital forms, 70s rock and a desire to explore our inner fools, clowns and demons – are coming to Clifton School of Arts.
Stanwell Park ceramic artist Alexandra Neville will launch her debut solo show, where the light slips, with a free opening event at 6pm on Friday, July 25.
“This exhibition feels like a big milestone,” Alex says. "I’m looking forward to sharing these ceramic pieces with my local community."
Design movements such as Bauhaus, Brutalism, and Post-Minimalism are among her sources of inspiration.
“My work is based on primitive geometric forms – toruses, donuts, spheres, and cubes – shapes often used as a foundation in 3D digital art,” Alex says.
“I’m drawn to strong, simple forms that carry weight and presence. I like how minimal materials and shapes can still suggest emotion or personality. My sculptures often resemble vessels or totems – familiar in form, but still ambiguous.
“Music is also a big part of my process. This recent series has been shaped by ’70s rock and metal – The Stooges, Black Sabbath, and Sex Pistols. That energy seems to filter into the work, with subtle nods to gothic sub-genres.”
Behind her abstract artworks lies a fascination with people, what shapes us and a desire to evoke archetypal human forms.
“I see the final pieces as characters or figures,” Alex says.
“I’m interested in everyone’s inner architecture – the small, often hidden identities that make up a whole person. Each work feels like a monument to those less celebrated parts of ourselves: a fool, a clown, a demon.”
A multidisciplinary artist who studied computer science at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Alex has spent the past six months making art in her spare time, working around a fulltime job as a creative producer at EyeJack Studio.
"I began working in props, costume, and set design, and gradually moved into interactive media," she says. "I completed a research Master’s exploring augmented reality (AR) as a complementary medium for contemporary arts, collaborating with sculptural artists experimenting with AR and spatial exhibitions during Covid.
"After that, I felt a strong pull to return to physical making and focus on ceramics as my main medium."
Her choice of materials is a stand-out feature.
"I use grog clay, which has a high sand content. It’s strong and leaves a rough, textured surface with visible marks and scratches. While most people use smoother clays for wheel throwing, I prefer grog clay because it is forgiving and suits my naturally heavy-handed approach.
"I usually start by throwing a range of base shapes on the wheel without a set concept in mind. Once they reach a leather-hard stage, I begin assembling them by hand, fitting the parts together in an improvised way. I decorate the forms with ceramic handles, spikes, chains, and sometimes wire.
"Lately, I’ve been drawn to monochrome glazes – especially different shades of black, including matte, satin, and crawl finishes that create cracked or textured surfaces."
Alex enjoys the freedom of making art.
"Ceramics is a space where I can create without pressure. I don’t always start with a plan – I just make what I feel like making. Getting my hands into clay and following a process for its own sake is something I find deeply rewarding.”
where the light slips will be at Clifton School of Arts, from July 25-28. Opening night: Friday 25th, 6-8pm (free entry & drinks). For more information, visit Alexandra Neville's website
