Chester Nealie | Etched in Fire
From Saturday 16 November 2024
To Sunday 2 February 2025
Etched in Fire is a survey exhibition of internationally recognised potter, Chester Nealie. This extensive exhibition, spanning the entirety of the gallery's lower floor, celebrates Nealie’s six-decade career marked by innovation and mastery in ceramic art.
From his beginnings in New Zealand in 1964 to his recent work in the South West, Nealie’s journey reflects his relentless pursuit of a unique aesthetic through experimentation with clay and fire.
Nealie’s relationships with leading figures such as Len Castle and Peter Stitchbury in New Zealand and Peter Rushforth, Alan Peascod, Owen Rye, and Janet Mansfield in Australia highlight his significant role in the wood-firing tradition. His influence and dedication to the ceramics communities in Australia and New Zealand have cemented his legacy, with works housed in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Musée National de Céramique in Paris, The National Gallery of Australia, and the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa.
The exhibition will also feature the many influences on Nealie’s work, including internationally significant historic ceramics from around the world, all selected from Nealie’s private collection.
Experience the evolution of a master potter whose contributions continue to shape the world of ceramics by joining us at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery for this extraordinary exhibition.
Chester Nealie
Chester Nealie born in Rotorua, New Zealand, in 1942, is a renowned potter celebrated for his mastery of wood-fired ceramics. Inspired by a visit from legendary mingei potters Shoji Hamada, Takeichi Kawai, and Michael Cardew to New Zealand in 1964, Nealie began his potting career the same year.
In 1978, Nealie built his first anagama kiln following a trip to Japan, marking the start of his specialization in woodfiring. His classically thrown forms, altered and fired with extended exposure to flame and ash, yield uniquely rich textures and effects.
Relocating to Australia in 1991, and to the South West in 2022, Nealie continues to influence the ceramics community globally. He has held numerous solo exhibitions in New Zealand and Australia, and has participated in group exhibitions across Japan, Korea, China, the USA, Canada, and Europe. His works are featured in prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa.
Image: Chester Nealie, Red Shino Vase, 2002, wood-fired stoneware with shino slip, fired in the firebox of Chester’s multi-chamber kiln at Goanna Ridge, Gulgong.