Description

Zarts Weekend Artist workshops are designed to provide teachers and aspiring creatives with a focused opportunity to learn from contemporary Australian artists. During these immersive sessions, participants discover new processes, gain insights into an artists practice, and explore new ways of working. During these workshops, artists will share their expertise, guiding educators in developing fresh techniques, renewed enthusiasm, and practical ideas that can inform both teaching and personal exploration.

Transform Clay into Expressive Self-Portraits

Join renowned Australian artist Brendan Huntley for a hands-on ceramics workshop that brings personality and playfulness to clay. Inspired by his fascination with transformation and self-expression, this session invites participants to explore sculptural storytelling by turning simple pinch pots into imaginative self-portraits.

Using hand-building techniques, stamping, and mark-making, youll press, carve, and imprint textures into the claybreathing life into your piece. Found objects from nature (seed pods, rocks) and everyday materials (bottle caps, pen lids) will be used to add unique character and unexpected details.

With a focus on experimentation and embracing imperfections, this workshop encourages you to explore identity, creativity, and the power of intuitive making.

What Youll Create & Learn:

• Sculptural Self-Portrait Build a pinch pot with human features, turning function into playful form.
• Expressive Mark-Making Experiment with stamping, pressing, and carving for rich surface textures.
• Hand-Building Techniques Learn foundational ceramic skills in an intuitive and hands-on way.
• Creative Risk-Taking Embrace imperfections and turn mistakes into exciting artistic outcomes.
• Material Exploration Discover how to use found objects to enhance your work with unique textures.

Whats Included:

• A guided, interactive workshop with Brendan Huntley.
• Quality ceramic materials and tools to use to sculpt, shape, and imprint your work.
• Inspiration from Huntleys own artistic practiceexploring sculpture and portraiture in unexpected ways.
• A chance to connect with like-minded artists and educators.

Meet the Artist: Brendan Huntley

A celebrated Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist, Brendan Huntley is known for his dynamic sculptural and painted works that explore human expression, identity, and transformation. With an extensive exhibition history at Tolarno Galleries and beyond, Huntleys work often features bold colour, exaggerated forms, and playful textures, capturing the energy and personality of everyday materials.

Huntley has exhibited at major institutions, including the National Gallery of Victoria and the Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney, and has been featured in Adelaide Biennial, Melbourne Now, and Future Primitive. His passion for material exploration and intuitive making makes this workshop a rare opportunity to learn directly from a leading contemporary artist.