The Bearer
The Bearer
By artist: Julia Bramich
Terracotta, glaze, glass seed beads, gold lustre, driftwood. 34 x 17 x 14 cm
It’s a slug! It is possibly not the most glorious creature, but it is a worldly representation of my inner me. Each spike and cocoon are little representations of the many responsibilities that I carry: parenting, family, social interactions, future uncertainties, and health. Thoughts and feelings are brought onto me by all the joy and challenges that life has to offer. Planning and executing this exhibition piece has enabled me to take full advantage of creative freedom and by pushing beyond my comfort zone. I wanted to create a piece that challenged my technical abilities and that stepped out of a levelled state into an organic flow and warped shape. My intention was also to create a core body that would allow me to heavily decorate and explore as many glaze and finishing options as I desire. There was no other option in mind other than using this deep rich red terracotta for this project. It’s earthy, smooth texture is a dream to work with: a type of clay which been used by humans since ancient times, with its history deeply intertwined with human civilization. The spikes and cocoons are also made from terracotta and have been individually shaped and labour intensively glazed, detailed with 22k gold lustre, Japanese glass seed beads and elaborately prepare for glaze firings and final installation.
About the artist.
Through my art, I am embracing and expressing my inner processing, allowing it to flourish and be realized through my highly personalized and intricately detailed ceramic pieces. I create one-of-a-kind artworks that are consciously created for wearing, giving and adoring. Working with clays from all over Australia, I love the possibility of shaping and creating pieces that could last hundreds of years: it is a truly amazing process. My process involves slab building, pinching, and coiling techniques and I aim for innovative surface manipulation and post-firing finishes to create distinctive details that go beyond traditional glaze firings.
Collection or delivery.
This item is part of the Plant Empire Small Wonders Exhibition 2026, on display from 9 May - 7 June. Exhibition items are available for sale in person or online. In the unlikely event that a customer purchases the item in-store at the same time as it is sold online, we will refund the online purchase - thank you in advance for your understanding if this situation does occur. Exhibition pieces will be available for collection in-store or delivered from 11-14 June: to collect your item in person, please select the 'in-store pickup' option at checkout; or to have it delivered, please select either the Australia Post or courier option (Brisbane only) at checkout and your delivery fee will be calculated automatically.