Arrival marks a moment of being, aligning a time and place in an eternal coming and going. Ari Athans sculptural and painting works are engaged in a lithic relationship of human and geologic interaction, in which landscapes and human lives are inseparable and impressionable. The stacked cairn-like forms appear as both markers and interventions, precariously stacked atop one another and shifting between rich pigmented tones and natural clay textures. Angled geometric forms emerge from the rounded and textured landscapes and stacked aggregations, suggesting both the past and the future of our environment is to be subsumed back into the earth.
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
74 x 18 x 10 cm
SOLD
Arrival 322020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
74 x 18 x 10 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
74 x 18 x 10 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
72 x 23 x 22 cm
SOLD
Arrival 272020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
72 x 23 x 22 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
72 x 23 x 22 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
74 x 14 x 12 cm
$3,000
ENQUIRE
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
60 x 19 x 19 cm
SOLD
Arrival 212020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
60 x 19 x 19 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
60 x 19 x 19 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
66 x 24 x 19 cm
SOLD
Arrival 222020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
66 x 24 x 19 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
66 x 24 x 19 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
75 x 10 x 10 cm
SOLD
Arrival 282020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
75 x 10 x 10 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
75 x 10 x 10 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
66 x 23 x 15 cm
SOLD
Arrival 292020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
66 x 23 x 15 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
66 x 23 x 15 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
67 x 16 x 19 cm
SOLD
Arrival 232020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
67 x 16 x 19 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
67 x 16 x 19 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
57 x 22 x 13 cm
SOLD
Arrival 242020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
57 x 22 x 13 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
57 x 22 x 13 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
68 x 23 x 22 cm
SOLD
Arrival 252020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
68 x 23 x 22 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
68 x 23 x 22 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
70 x 23 x 20 cm
SOLD
Arrival 342020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
70 x 23 x 20 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
70 x 23 x 20 cm
SOLD
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
69 x 17 x 18 cm
SOLD
Arrival 312020
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
69 x 17 x 18 cm
ceramic, acrylic paint, underglaze, stainless steel base
69 x 17 x 18 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Going Somewhere2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Looking East Back2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
40 x 40 x 10 cm
SOLD
Leaving Ionna2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
40 x 40 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
40 x 40 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Aerial Mountains2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
100 x 100 x 10 cm
SOLD
Amulet Keeper2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
100 x 100 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
100 x 100 x 10 cm
SOLD
enamel on fabricated mild steel
50 x 50 x 10 cm
$1,700
ENQUIRE
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Cobalt Lode2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Sulphur Side Outcrop2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Iron Oxide Pass2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
Serpantine View2020
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
Enamel On Fabricated Mild Steel
30 x 30 x 10 cm
SOLD
INSTALLATION VIEW 'ARRIVAL'2020
INSTALLATION VIEW 'ARRIVAL'2020
INSTALLATION VIEW 'ARRIVAL'2020
Installation view 'Arrival' EDWINA CORLETTE2020
INSTALLATION VIEW 'ARRIVAL'2020
INSTALLATION VIEW 'ARRIVAL'2020
The Law of Superposition states that in any sequence of layered rocks, a given layer must be older than any layer on top of it. A basic law of geochronology, it is fundamental to the interpretation of Earth’s history and understanding the order of things. For Ari Athans, who studied Geology and worked in the mining and exploration industry before training in jewellery and object design, it has become the foundation on which she forms her art practice.
Materiality, experimentation and transformative states are constant threads in Ari’s work. Science informs the process, but so too does intuition and emotion. Using mild steel and enamel, she reimagines geological interactions and events as fantastical new landscapes that represent passages of time and moments of being. Her stacked ceramic forms are a natural progression of this highly sculptural painting style, allowing human interaction in physical space and encouraging contemplation on geologic time and how we relate to it.
Ari Athans studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Geology) at University of Technology Sydney (1988), before completing her Diploma in Gemmology at the Gemmological Association of Australia (1989), and Associate Diploma of Arts (Jewellery Object Design) at the Sydney Institute of Technology (1994). A finalist in the Moreton Bay Art Awards (2017) and Smart State Designer at the Design Institute of Australia (2008), her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows through Australia and internationally such as Sydney Contemporary (2020); Trace 4101 Festival, Brisbane (2019); Expanded discrete states, Artisan Brisbane (2018); 15 Artists, Redcliffe Art Gallery (2017); Silver, Museum of Brisbane (2014); Freestyle, Melbourne Museum, Queensland University of Technology Art Museum, Object Gallery and Milan Museum, Italy (2007); Blurred Boundaries, Kick Arts Cairns (2007); South Project, Santiago Museum, Chile (2006); Self, United Kingdom tour (2004); Schmuck, International Handwerksmesse, Munich (2001); and X-Ray Craft, Queensland Art Gallery (1997).
Ari Athans
Born 1965, Sydney
Lives and works in Brisbane
EDUCATION
1994
- Associate Diploma of Arts (Jewellery Object Design), Sydney Institute of Technology, Sydney
1989
- Diploma in Gemmology, Gemmological Association of Australia, Brisbane
1988
- Bachelor Applied Science (Geology), University Technology, Sydney
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
- Upcoming 'Ingrained', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2022
- 'Aggregates in Construct', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2021
- 'End of Days', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2020
- 'Arrivals', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2018
- 'Remains', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2016
- 'Volcanic Bloom', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2015
- 'Andromeda', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2014
- 'Geophyllia', EDWINA CORLETTE Brisbane
2013
- 'Rockheads', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2011
- 'Field Trip', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2010
- 'Facet', EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
2002
- 'Stonewear', Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
2001
- 'Cha Cha Charms', CQ Store, Craft Queensland, Brisbane
2000
- 'Bodyguards', Craft Queensland, Brisbane
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2020
- Sydney Contemporary Art Fair, EDWINA CORLETTE
2019
- ‘The New Gallery Show’, EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
- 'Trace 4101', Various locations in West End, Brisbane
2018
- 'Expanded Discrete States', Artisan Gallery Brisbane
- ‘10th Anniversary Group Show’, EDWINA CORLETTE
2017
- '15 Artists', Redcliffe Art Gallery
- Moreon Bay Art Awards, finalist Pine Rivers Gallery
2015
- 'Attitude as Form', Artisan, Brisbane (Touring regional galleries Australia)
2014
- 'Silver', Museum of Brisbane, Brisbane
2011
- 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor', Artisan Gallery, Brisbane (Touring regional galleries Australia)
2010
- 'Transformers' feat. Ari Athans and Darcy Clarke, EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
- Audio Design Museum, Object Gallery Initiative Online
- 'Heat Fashion', Creative Industries QUT, Brisbane
2009
- Ari Athans, Kill Pixie, Vexta, EDWINA CORLETTE, Brisbane
- 'Mod Squad', Touring Regional Galleries Queensland
2008
- Smart State Designer Finalist, Design Institute of Australia, Melbourne
2007
- 'Bowerbird: A day on Earth', Brisbane & Melbourne, collaboration with David Bromley
- 'Freestyle', Melbourne Museum, QUT Museum, Object Gallery and Milan Museum
- 'Blurred Boundaries', Kick Arts, Cairns
- 'Pecha Kucha', Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
2006
- 'South Project', Santiago Museum, Chile
2005
- 'Craft Unbound: Make the Common Precious', Craft Vic, Melbourne
- Arc Art Design Craft Biennial, City Gallery, Brisbane
2004
- 'Self', Touring 7 UK galleries
2002
- 'Less is more/Less is a Bore', Brisbane City Gallery, Brisbane
2001
- 'Schmuck', International Handwerksmesse, Munich
- 'Contemporary Wearables', Toowoomba Regional Gallery
- Travelling Talent: Australians in Germany Touring Craft VIC', Craft QLD, Craft ACT
1998
- 'Past Tense/Future Perfect', Object Gallery, Sydney
1997
- 'X-Ray Craft', Queensland Gallery, Brisbane
- 'Project: Object', Performance Space, Sydney
GRANTS
2007
- Artist Grant, Arts Queensland
2002
- Artist Grant, Arts Queensland
2000
- Artist Grant, Arts Queensland
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
2019
- Alison Kubler, Object, Vault Magazine, Issue 25, February
2017
- Louise Martin-Chew, Volcanic Bloom: Ari Athans, Preview, Art Guide Australia, 2 August
- Featured, Vogue Living, July
- Featured, The Design Directory: Ari Athans, Est Living, 8 August
- Interview, Daily Practice: Ari Athans, Imprint House, 26 July
2015
- Carrie McCarthy, Controlled Chaos, Review, Cultural Flanerie, 25 June
- Saskia Edwards, Amber Wallis and Ari Athans at Edwina Corlette Gallery, Review, Aesthetic Fixation, 7 June
- Featured, Ari Athans: Andromeda, Art Collector, 2 June
2014
- Interview, Artist + Jewellery Designer Ari Athans, Daily Imprint, 4 November
2013
- Interview, TFAQ&A, The Fashion Archives, Issue 6, 5 November
- Dan Pike, Ari Athans Sells Out, Australian Infront, 8 August
2012
- Megan Morton, Things I Love, Penguin Books Australia
- Margie Fraser, Ari Athans and David Bromley Collaboration, Vogue Living
- Brian Parkes, Freestyle, Object and Melbourne Museum
2007
- Clare press, Finders Keepers, Vogue, November, p 118
- Robyn Daw, Studio, Object, Issue 52, November, p 60
2005
- Kevin Murray, Craft Unbound: Make the Common Precious, Fishermans Bend
2003
- Megan Morton, Personal Space, Harper's Bazaar, April, p 103
- Cameron Bruhn, Ari Jewellery, Artichoke, Issue 13, p 63
2001
- Arbitare, All the worlds products, Issue 402, January, p 127
2000
- Tim Morell, Bodyguards, Object, April, p 92
1998
- Rhana Davenport, Diagnostic Imaging, Object, January
COLLECTIONS
- Toowoomba Regional Gallery
- Lady Cilento Childrens Hospital
- Private collections in Australia and Internationally
November 22, 2024
ARI ATHANS UNVEILS NEW PUBLIC SCULPTURE IN SYDNEY
Congratulations to Ari Athans whose work ‘A ripple and a rock’, made in collaboration with Urban Art Projects is now installed at Wentworth Point in Sydney.
This work is inspired by sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and shale which make up the ripple valley of Sydney Harbour.
Seeking to re-invoke the soft and natural elements of the area, ‘A ripple and a rock’ signals a place and a point of arrival along the urban coastline. The forms appear to have tumbled together and washed ashore, their shape framing the bay and supporting view lines across the water.
- Ari Athans
IMAGE:
A ripple and a rock 2024
sandstone, cast aluminium, fabricated steel
dimensions variable
March 21, 2023
ARI ATHANS IN QANTAS IN-FLIGHT MAGAZINE
Ari Athans was featured recently in the Qantas In-Flight magazine in an article written by Noelle Faulkner.
March 4, 2023
ARI ATHAN'S WORK FEATURED IN BELLE MAGAZINE
Ari Athan's work 'Strata Sample One' is featured in the current issue of Belle Magazine inside Anna Spiro's home.
IMAGE:
Strata Sample One 2022
ceramic, wood and acrylic paint
57 x 20 x 20 cm
March 11, 2022
ARI ATHANS FEATURED IN ART ALMANAC
The disparate textural layers of Aggregates in Construct blend the myriad forms and patterns of nature marked by the boundaries of human action. Ari Athans’ stacked, sculptural arrangements flow between the handmade, organic and industrial, marking the liminal points where the landscape rests upon and collides with the built world.
- Art Almanac, 2022
IMAGE:
Ultra Surface 2022
ceramic, wood, vesicular basalt, acrylic paint
36 x 22 x 20 cm
February 27, 2019
ARI ATHANS IN VAULT MAGAZINE
Ari Athans is interviewed in the latest issue of Vault Magazine about the breadth of her creative practice - between sculpture, painting, and jewellery.
July 8, 2017
ARI ATHANS: REDCLIFFE GALLERY 15 ARTISTS EXHIBITION
Ari Athans' work has been selected for Redcliffe Gallery's 15 Artists Exhibition 2017.
This annual award plays a pivotal role in the growth of the Moreton Bay Regional Council Art Collection. The $8000 acquisitive prize exhibits 15 Artists that reflect the collection’s focus of culture, identity, spirit and sense of place.
Artists selected for 2017 are Ari Athans, Glenn Barkley, Sue Beyer, Megan Cope, Hannah Cutts, Jeremy Eden, Martin Edge, Ian Friend, Stephen Hart, Barbara Heath, Abbey McCulloch, Kate McKay, Stephen Nothling, Graeme Peebles and Nan Dingle.
The exhibition runs from 1 September - 28 October 2017.
May 8, 2017
ARI ATHANS, FINALIST IN THE MORETON BAY ART AWARDS
Ari Athans work 'Felsic Plume' has been selected as a finalist in the 2017 Moreton Bay Art Award. This annual acquisitive award exhibition is supported by the Moreton Bay Regional Council. The Art Award offers two acquisitive prizes of $7,500 and two supplementary $1,000 prizes for a Local Artists and a People’s Choice Award.
The Moreton Bay Region Art Award has featured prominent and emerging artists for the last 24 years, and is now an important feature in the cultural landscape of the region.
Dr Campbell Gray, Director of the University of Queensland Art Museum is the 2017 judge.
IMAGE:
Felsic Plume 2016
enamel on mild steel
30 x 70 cm
ARI ATHANS 'ARRIVALS' Exhibition Walkthrough 2020
11 – 14 September 2025
‘SYDNEY CONTEMPORARY’ Ross Laurie, Joanna Logue, Rhys Lee, Eliza Gosse, Judith Sinnamon, Ari Athans, Pia Murphy, Ces McCully
22 March 2023 – 11 April 2023
Ari Athans ‘Ingrained’
3 – 19 February 2022
Ari Athans ‘Aggregates in Construct’
23 November 2021 – 15 December 2021
THE ART OF CHRISTMAS | ONLINE ONLY
8 – 15 June 2021
Ari Athans ‘End of Days’
27 August 2020 – 16 September 2020
Ari Athans ‘Arrival’
26 June 2019 – 17 July 2019
THE NEW GALLERY SHOW — A Group Exhibition
29 August 2018 – 15 September 2018
THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION
9 – 28 August 2018
ARI ATHANS 'Remains'
3 – 23 August 2016
Ari Athans ‘Volcanic Bloom’
2 – 27 June 2015
Ari Athans ‘Andromeda’
30 September 2014 – 18 October 2014
Ari Athans ‘Geophyllia’ (Gallery 2)
30 July 2013 – 17 August 2013
Ari Athans ‘Rockheads’ (Gallery 2)
2 – 21 May 2011
Ari Athans ‘Field Trip’ (Gallery 2)
27 September 2010 – 16 October 2010
Spring Exhibition
3 – 22 May 2010
Ari Athans ‘Facet’