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Rika Rouw
Ceramics
Born: Holland. 1951.
Ceramicist
Artist Information
Born in Holland in 1951, Rika has been an Australian national for many years. She is pre-dominantly self-taught in ceramics, but now with over thirty years experience, she has been in demand as a tutor. Best known for her series of ‘Ladies’, her work is full of life, colour and humour.
“In the early 70s and 80s, influenced by the optimistic “Australiana” fervor of the times, I created hand-crafted, ceramic icons such as Pioneer Cottages, Pubs and Swagmen which sold in outlets all over Australia. I used high temperature clays and fired with wood and gas .At the same time I was able to let my hair down with my “Crazy Housewives” sculptures of housewives marooned on pianos amidst a sea of nappies, toddlers and potties. I have always depicted whatever is happening around me. During the 90s, after a trip to Europe and the States, I discovered contemporary glazing techniques, resulting in bright colours and painterly effects and switched to earthenware and slip cast ware of my own design, fired in an electric kiln. The combination of painting and sculpture freed me up in many ways and I worked on tiles, pottery decoration and created the “Lounge Ladies” series. The “Ladies” came about from a desire to get away from the frenetic ‘super mum’ character of the times and portray women enjoying leisure and their own company while reclining on overstuffed sofas. Each one ‘tells’ a different story.” Rika has a strong sense of community and was a Founder Member of the Rural Initiatives Association; member of Women Artworkers and the Community Arts Panel. In 1988 -89, Rika was president of the Margaret River Arts Council and also received a bursary to attend the Creative City Seminar in Melbourne. SELECTED EXHIBITIONS; 1969 – Busselton Courthouse Gallery 1980 – Busselton Courthouse Gallery 1984 – Broome Cultural Centre Bunbury Art Extraordinaire Red Cross Art Exhibition Moora Art & Craft Awards (Winner Religious Art Prize – Acquisitive) 1987 – “Bellarmania”, solo, Pierro Vineyard 1988 – South West Survey, Bunbury 1998 – Melting Pot Art Exhibition & Auction Solo, Hay Shed Hill Vineyard TEACHING EXPERIENCE; 1982-4 Community Youth Employment Services, Busselton 1984 - TAFE, Broome 1990 - Active Women’s Forum, Perth Tile Workshop, Denmark Having completed studies in Aged Care and Dementia, Rika facilitated an oral history and art project with local “Seniors” recording the Margaret River area in the 1930s in ceramic tiles and sculptures. This was followed in 2003 by facilitating a ceramic Map/Mural with local Year Four students, which remains on permanent display outside Margaret River Primary School. In 2005 she spent two months in Kununurra at St. Joseph’s Catholic School working with 160 students creating a ten meter tile Map/Mural of their local Kimberley region. There have also been many Community Arts Workshops and many private workshops too.
Below are a selection of the artists work:
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