Cathy Franzi was recently awarded a Highly Commended in the Siliceous Award for Ceramic Excellence 2025. This is a national ceramic award held in the Metcalfe Gallery, Brisbane Institute of Art in Queensland. This is a highly regarded ceramic prize, congratulations to all the finalists.
Cathy says of this work: ‘Coochin Hills Grevillea is inspired by Grevillea hodgei, an endemic species found in only two populations in the Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of south-east Queensland. In many ways this plant typifies the vulnerabilities of critically threatened species in Australia: land clearing, fire, and specificity to a unique ecosystem. It’s here today, but may become one more that exists only in archives, herbariums, and artworks. I have developed a textural approach to representation, adapting aspects of printmaking and composition to the ceramic medium. Vessels are wheel-thrown using porcelain and altered, giving movement to the form from which to respond with the carving technique of sgraffito, to reveal the image from a black surface coating’.
Cathy has a solo exhibition coming up at Sabbia, opening from May 17 – please contact the gallery if you would like a preview catalogue for the exhibition.