SUVIRA MCDONALD

Suvira’s early visual art training was focused in Lismore NSW. He was awarded a Diploma in ceramics from Lismore TAFE in 1994 and, building on a degree in Commerce (UNSW) from 1970, was granted candidacy and subsequently awarded a Master’s Degree in Visual Art from Southern Cross University (SCU) in 2000.

His research was focused on wood fired ceramics which required a physicality and performance reminiscent of ritual theatre. He also acquired various ceramic technologies underpinning the medium.

He has been a teacher of ceramics and sculpture for 30 years, including sessional work at SCU. Throughout this time he has conducted a ceramics practice with multiple areas of research. The practice has at times had domestic dinnerware as a focus, although he has also produced landscape interpretations and sculpture formed in low relief and freestanding modalities. He has also developed strong sculptural statements with other more robust media such as steel, wood and stone often combined with each other and ceramic elements. He has received awards and been acquired into public collections for this work.

The exhibition history running concurrently with the researches has entered numerous domains. To further promote and exhibit three-dimensional art he curated exhibitions combining the talents of potters, sculptor, furniture maker, painter, ikebana artist and food stylist.

Suvira was invited to Korea as an exhibitor at Gangjin Celadon Festival, and his work rests in the collection there. More recently, he has completed long projects involving the construction of a traditional anagama, Japanese-style wood fire kilns. Results of these kiln firings are widespread as the kiln becomes learning environments where many students have been introduced into wood firing.

In other sculptural areas he has curated and coordinated the sculpture for the Byron Writers Fest over ten years and has initiated the Mullumbimby Sculpture Walk, both ongoing presentations of sculpture of the region, the latter involving a development of the profile of public art in Byron Shire. He was a founding member and past President of both Creative Mullum INC and also North Coast Ceramics INC, both flourishing organisation which contribute to the cultural fabric of Mullumbimby and the Byron Shire generally.

Both these projects demonstrate a decision to foster and develop local presentations of sculpture and strengthen its presence in NSW Northern Rivers. This is augmented by the public presence of his own public sculptural work throughout Byron and surrounding shires. He also served on Byron Shire Council’s Public Art Panel for 6 years until 2016.

Currently, Suvira is emphasising the importance of wood firing in ceramics and maintaining that tradition. He is also committed to the presentation and curation of three-dimensional art.