Deb McKay

We are just so pleased to have Deb’s work in the gallery, it is aligned to our wonderful marine environment and our seascapes in Port Elliot. Although Deb has a significant history in design, her chosen medium of clay and ceramics is very recent. She is incredibly humble, despite being selected for the very competitive Waterhouse Nature Art Prize in 2021 and was given a ‘Highly Commended’. This biennial prize provides an opportunity for artists such as Deb to investigate the world around them and present their perspectives on natural science. Over the years the competition has become a much loved fixture on the arts calendar, allowing artists and audiences to explore natural science through a range of creative outlets.

Deb engages with the simplicity of the material; the monochromatic colour scheme of her pieces evokes a feeling of the clarity and beauty found within nature. In her own words, ‘there is an intrinsic connection between the qualities of these clay forms and the living things in our natural environment. Both are malleable and durable, yet simultaneously fragile. These works seek to underline this paradox and highlight the beauty which is found within it’

It is wonderful to have Deb’s work to compliment this exhibition, her three dimensional works relate to many of the themes inherent in the work from other artists about nature and environment. Her individual pieces are sophisticated, highly resolved but are also engaging and intriguing.

‘White Protea’

Lumina clay

*Artwork images are examples of the artists work and may not currently be available. Please contact the gallery for more information.

‘Frilled Anemone’

Porcelain, pearl lustre

*Artwork images are examples of the artists work and may not currently be available. Please contact the gallery for more information.