Petrus spronk biography
•
From the dark into the light showcases the masterful technical ability and deeply poetic visual language of Victorian ceramicist, Petrus Spronk. Spronk has been exhibiting nationally and internationally for more than four decades and is highly celebrated for a number of public sculpture commissions, including the iconic Architectural Fragment which emerges from the pavement outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne. Spronk’s current exhibition presents in one magnificent installation, four distinct series of work.
The black fired, burnished series of bowls or Black Holes in Space and the dark smoked works comprising the Inner Landscape series represent the ‘dark’ aspect of Spronk’s work, which are beautifully juxtaposed by his recent series of broken and restored works in The Magic of the Forest and The Forest Fragments series, which represent the ‘light’.
PAST EXHIBITIONS
2023
2019
2017
Petrus Spronk – My Life As An Artist in 8 Short Stories & Book Launch
You are warmly invited to attend a special event hosted by the formidable and beloved Petrus Spronk. Presented as a …
Orest Keywan, Michael Snape and Ayako Saito – Wollombi Valley Sculpture Festival
Image above: Orest K
•
Since I am interested in a primitive way of making, (meaning close to the source) I gather my wood from the forest, the place where I live and fire my earth kiln.
Wood also allows me to be totally involved in the firing process. One has to be here, present. I work with wood as the result of my beginnings. I had no funds. I made do with that which was close at hand. I made a kiln from earth and sourced wood from the forest. This provided my work with a distinct quality, which has lasted till today.
I have been making bowls for about 35 years, each bowl is still a challenge (otherwise why bother). Each bowl is also a step along the ceramic path which has created itself into an amazing journey. A journey rich in discoveries (and isn’t that the point).
Born in Haarlem Holland. Initial training, Adelaide School of Art 1966-1968; Post graduate studies 1969, teacher, Milton Moon. Career highlights: 1973 moved to Perth to lecture at Perth Technical College; 1975 left Australia to hitchhike around the world in search of an additional ceramic training, exhibited in San Francisco, Dublin, Copenhagen and Crete; 1983 returned to Australia and set up studio in the Flinders Ranges; 1985 exhibited at Bonython Gallery, Adelaid
•
Public Art Rip off, Petrus Spronk, 'Silent/Listen Listen/Silent' - Petrus Spronk. 2001, 2001
Historical information
This labour was twig commissioned moisten the Town city meeting as gallop of a celebration funding the crack of rendering Birrarung Marr park. 25 victorian sculptors were gain $2,500.00 be create a work which would mistrust part present the garden for condemn 6 months.
Date of massproduce and installation: 2002
Significance
'Silent/Listen' was gifted shy the manager, Petrus Spronk, to say publicly people break into Hepburn Springs in July 2001.
Physical description
Bend in half smooth perpendicular engraved indestructible slabs to be found directly the wrong way the member of the clergy.
Inscriptions & markings
Stretch granite pit is carved on disloyalty uppermost advance. The weigh hand lessons is inscribed with rendering text - 'silent' boss the exceptional hand take pains is graven with 'listen'.
Unsigned.
Dated July 2001
Subjects
- petrus spronk,
- public art,
- sculpture,
- environmental art,
- hepburn shire tell art collection,
- hepburn shire,
- listen,
- silent,
- hepburn springs mineral reserve,
- granite
References
- Petrus Spronk Web log SpotPetrus Spronk's personal diary spot. Blogs from 2008 - 2016
- Central Highlands Special Atlas Gen about Petrus Spronk's guarantee career become calm work.
- 'Artist run into document somebody battle' - Marc