Trees and Animals

Trees and Animals features the works of Victorian based ceramic sculptural artists Stephen Benwell and Raphy. This exhibition is an exploration of form, using trees and animals as experimental subjects. A series of Benwell’s expressive tree sculptures, capturing a trees strength and presence, are accompanied by a variety of animal sculptures created by Raphy. Together, their works weave a narrative of interdependence between the strong, sturdy and reliable tree and the wild, unpredictable and playful animal.

“Trees grow, animals live amongst the trees, artists meet and show their work together, it’s instinctual …”

– Raphy, 2024

“Whatever we make connects us to history and the world around us. Showing alongside Raphy is connecting and reaching out to another artist …

About a year ago, I began a series of tree forms that are hand-built hollow in a simplified way, then coloured and glazed. They have developed into a series of small sculptures. I had noticed some Italian gardens where strong vertical lines were created by pencil-thin cypress trees punctuating the landscape design. I began the series with these elongated, cone shapes.

The collaboration with Raphy came about when I suggested he make animals to go with these trees. In the early stages of the collaboration, I thought that I would go on with the same tree ideas that I began with. However, I was pulled up with a jolt when Raphy said his animals would all be Australian native animals. I thought then that my Italianate, toy-like trees might look a bit out of place with wallabies and koalas. So, I embarked on another series called Trunks that I’m showing here for the first time alongside the Trees. The Trunks works are based on the hollowed-out branches and tree trunks of old gum trees. This new direction is a material, if serendipitous, outcome of the collaboration with Raphy. "

– Stephen Benwell