On the Edge / am Rande

Dr Cathy Franzi’s latest exhibition of ceramics was created through studio, archival and field research during a residency in the far southwest of Western Australia, at Stirling Range National Park. The jagged ranges of this biodiversity hotspot overlook the Southern Ocean. Buttressed by the water, it is an extraordinary sanctuary of diversity at the edge of a vast continent. Franzi’s practice is concerned with the graphic representation of flora on ceramic vessels. Her pieces reflect their ecological connections, and are informed by the precariousness of the existence of many of the plants that inspire her. Her scientific background allows for her to engage with botanical research, and has informed her practice since she first began working with ceramics. This knowledge sadly brings with it a profound awareness of the danger that climate change and invasive pathogens bring to the myriad ecosystems of Australia. It is a land of ancient natural landscapes, evolved through continental isolation, long geological stability and the careful stewardship of the First Nations Peoples. Franzi’s depictions of the form and beauty of Australia’s plant-life capture a moment balancing on the edge, unknowing which way it will fall. “#resilience – This idea is central to my experience of south-west WA, where my delight in studying plants on location is tempered by the fragility of their existence due to human impact. This remarkable flora has evolved over millennia to survive a harsh environment, the question is, can their resilience adapt to new global conditions?” Cathy Franzi