What if the thoroughfare of memory has holes and continually moves around without knowing where to settle? How does this affect one’s identity when the interlaced path of our whakapapa is without context and the stories we are born into and with are uncertain traces of our past? How do you move forward into the future with a past that doesn’t remember the way? 

Exploring functional ceramics on the wheel to create the outcome of waste; slurry is evaporated to become tiles or fragments, and trimming twists are used unfired and fired as a form in their own right. Much like when someone has dementia, it leaves a trace of what was, in the hope of finding some understanding, surpassing the desired outcome, and instead recreating an alternative purpose. Redefining the intentional outcome of domestic pottery and expanding the definition of ceramics. 

The strength of copper anchors thoughts in preparation for conversations. Intentionally contrasting to the organic materiality of clay. Capturing the disconnect when others see you clearer than yourself. Inferring conversations around capacity, realisation and acceptance of a hectic dementia mind.

About Debbie Barber:

Debbie is a ceramic artist who holds a BFA in Sculpture from Ilam School of Fine Arts, Canterbury University. Currently living in Tāmaki Makaurau, Debbie began establishing her own art practice in 2019 influenced by her mum’s journey with dementia and grounded in a reflective practice considering identity, time and memory. 

Past exhibitions include: Abstraxt Abstraxt at NorthArt 2024. Molly Morpeth Canaday Award; finalist, 2024. Portage Ceramic Award; Merit Prize winner 2023. Grounding exhibition at Depot Artspace, The Parkin Drawing Prize; finalist, National Contemporary Art Award; finalist, Auckland Studio Potters Fire and Clay; finalist, and Shifting at Arthaus Contemporary Gallery, all 2023; Pushing Clay Uphill, the inaugural Contemporary Ceramics Award Exhibition; finalist with two artworks, Nelson 2022, Bread and Butter at Grey, 2022, Owhango Summer Sculpture Show 2020/2021.