Anna Guthrie, “D-Bay Reverie”, 2023. Stoneware, slips, oxides and clear glaze.

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D-Bay Reverie: A Meditation on Place and Identity

“D-Bay Reverie” grew from a 2023 ceramic body of work titled “Changing Terrains”. This work invites viewers into a deeply personal journey across the dynamic landscapes of Deception Bay—a place too often misunderstood and reduced to its superficial elements. Here, amidst these altered vessels, we witness the unfolding stories of a land and a community that has thrived through adaptation and resilience.

A Walk Through Deception Bay

My relationship with Deception Bay is chronicled through daily walks along its distinctive foreshores. Each step and observation seeps into the fabric of my work, transforming from mere physical activity into an immersive exploration of place, identity, and memory. This practice has evolved into a profound meditation, over a period of three years, capturing the essence of both natural and urban environments through my artistic expression.

Stories Held in Clay

Each ceramic piece in “D-Bay Reverie” narrates a chapter of Deception Bay’s story, challenging viewers to look beyond its perceived reputation. The colours and textures embedded in each vessel—each line of mapping through sgraffito—capture moments in time, weaving personal connections and community narratives into the clay. These vessels are more than containers; they are custodians of history and evolving stories.

An Invitation

As you engage with the “D-Bay Reverie” series, I encourage you to reflect on the symbiotic relationships these vessels share with their environment. Notice how their altered shapes might echo the shifting terrains of both land and sea, and urban architure of the Deception Bay streets, transforming geographical mappings into emotional landscapes.

I invite you to walk with me through the visual narratives captured in these works. Feel the connection between the soles of your feet and the soul of Deception Bay. Reflect on how architecture—both the physical structures around us and those we create in art—can profoundly shape our communal and personal experiences