Feature.. Forming Connections
Forming Connections
Drawing on an ongoing collaborative relationship, Wesfarmers engaged JamFactory’s Ceramic Studio to design and fabricate a series of custom ceramic beakers featuring the work of Waringarri Arts artist, Louise Malarvey
Internationally acknowledged for their ochre paintings and heritage award-winning engraved boab nuts, Waringarri Arts, located in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, is an indigenous owned art centre supporting economic independence for artists and their community. The centre operates artists’ studios and galleries and supports more than 100 artists as painters, printmakers, wood carvers, boab engravers, sculptors and textile artists.
With a history of working on limited edition commissioned gifts and collectable works, Wesfarmers, Waringarri Arts and JamFactory have come together again in 2024 to reimagine Ngappa, the work of artist Louise Malarvey on the surface of a series of hand thrown stoneware beakers. Louise Malarvey’s practice is informed by her culture and the mesmerising power of Paruku – Lake Gregory, south of Halls Creek on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. Inspired by the many movements of wind across the water and underwater currents, Malarvey reflects on her connection to place through understated abstract forms painted in the natural ochres of her Country.
JamFactory’s Ceramics Studio, in consultation with Wesfarmers and Waringarri Arts, designed the ceramic beakers to function as reusable drinking vessels resulting in both a decorative gift and useful object.
The 500 beakers were hand thrown and hand trimmed by the Staff and Associates of the Ceramics Studio with a stoneware glaze layering a detail of Malarvey’s painting on the surface through decal application. The beakers feature bespoke stamped branding and were presented in custom packaging to Wesfarmers’ clients.
Wesfarmers Helen Carroll reflects on the project:
“It’s always exciting to be able to partner with JamFactory when we want to create a bespoke limited edition collectable work to mark a significant moment or milestone for our company. This is the third gift commission project we’ve undertaken together. It’s such a joy to work collaboratively with the superb designers and makers at JamFactory to develop covetable pieces that profile Australian design and the work of First Nations artists. Our Wesfarmers gifts find their way into collections and homes all over the world – they are pieces made with heart and soul that are beautifully conceived and crafted by hand with all the attention to detail, texture and form that JamFactory is renown for – this really resonates for people and makes our gifts very special.”
