An artistic array of painted porcelain and fine china is on display at the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead this November.
With works from the Australasian Porcelain Art Teachers Vic and the Victorian Guild of China Painters, the exhibition features different styles of painting from traditional to contemporary.
Lilydale based painter Chris Chamberlain said the exhibition was a chance to show people the beauty of porcelain painting.
“We are proud to be showing our work and it’s lovely, often someone will come in and they’ve no idea about how it’s done and to be able to explain how it’s done and they realise all the work that is involved in painting.”
She said 10 different artists contributed their works to the exhibition which included a wide range of subject matter.
“Some people like doing birds and animals, other people like flowers and there’s a few down there that are more modern pieces.”
One of her works is a blue wren painted onto a porcelain trinket box. The soft pastel palette has a graceful nature to it, much like the delicate porcelain it’s painted onto.
The blue wren box is also an example of traditional styles combining with the contemporary through a technique called penwork.
“I painted the flowers first, and then I came with filling in a bit of background penwork,” Ms Chamberlain said.
Though it tends to be older demographics who appreciate traditional porcelain painting, she said younger generations lean more towards pieces that use penwork.
“Younger people like these sort of things as well, the animals and the more modern type slant on it.”
Ms Chamberlain is the membership secretary for the Australaisian Porcelain Art Teachers Vic and the group holds exhibitions at Mont De Lancey every November.
She hoped the exhibition would help people see the effort artists go through when painting on porcelain.
“It can be a lengthy process if you’re doing something big and it needs several firings.”
Unlike regular painting, which could be completed in one sitting, the porcelain needs to be fired in a kiln and it can take multiple days to finish a piece.
From plates, vases, trinket boxes and framed tiles, there’s no limit to the pieces that can be painted, making it a versatile medium.
Those interested in appreciating the beauty of porcelain painting can view the exhibition for the rest of November at Mont De Lancey.
“It’s such a lovely place for people to come and visit, and there’s so much to look at when they do come, apart from what’s on in the gallery.”
