IRIANNA KANELLOPOULOU

In my work, narratives explore issues of identity and (dis)placement through a transformation of images and found objects outside of their initial intent and purpose. Featured protagonists unveil a micro cosmos of masked identities, fragmented conversations and fleeting moments. Deliberately shifting relationships between human and animal qualities, the figure becomes a cultural object that projects a narrative of a ‘new and improved’ reality; a super reality. I use 18th & 19th century European techniques and I multi-fire each piece several times with a ‘layering’ glaze technique, which enables me to achieve a rich depth of colour.

Born Athens Greece. Initial training, Monash University, Melbourne 1993. Since graduating in 1993 has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally including Talente in Munich, Germany and SOFA in Chicago USA. Irianna was invited as Guest Artist in Residence at The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, USA where she exhibited and completed various private & public commissions including a public art project for All Nations Park in Melbourne. She has received several grants and awards, including Professional Development Grant from Australian Council for the arts in 2008, Manningham Valley of the Arts Ceramic Art Award in 2009, and was the winner of the Toyota Community Spirit Artist Travel Award in 2011. Recently shortlisted for the Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award, the Deakin Small Sculpture Award and a finalist in ‘The Figure’ at Keramikmuseum Westerwald, Germany.