Susie Roberts - Cake Urchin Luminaire
Susie Roberts - Cake Urchin Luminaire
Susie Roberts, Cake Urchin Luminaire
Porcelain shade, painted wooden frame, 12V LED globe, recycled plastic, transformer
23cm diameter, 8cm high
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Susie Roberts grew up barefoot in the bush around Mudgee, NSW, Australia. Her love of science, art and physical yakka led to a career in winemaking after a degree in Agricultural Science with first class honours from Sydney University and a Bachelor of Oenology from Charles Sturt University. She made bold red wines for Huntington Estate whilst managing the Huntington Music Festival. This passion for music guided Roberts to the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs where she sang as a soprano in the Symphony Chorus.
Back to earth, Susie is excited to find her hands in clay. She completed a Diploma of Ceramics at Northern Beaches Tafe in 2022 and was a finalist in the 2022 Crackpot Cup Competition. In 2023 she was invited to partake in the Golden Light group exhibition at Crackpot Gallery. Susie has just completed her Advanced Diploma of Visual Arts (Ceramics) with a group exhibition, Beneath the Surface at Barometer Gallery, Paddington (Nov 2024) and is working toward The Coal Loader (2025). Her Sea Cups are available at the Australian Design Centre Object shop. Susie is a finalist in the 2025 Northern Beaches Environmental Art and Design Prize.
As a ceramic artist connected to the Northern Beaches culture, I use the dual strength and fragility of porcelain to highlight the precious nature of the ocean and its curious creatures. I work at the intersection of art and science with the goal of not only sharing the beauty of the sea but to advocate for its protection and reveal its critical role as the largest carbon sink on the planet. Inspiration is drawn from my steadfast ocean swimming and from the 19th century pioneer naturalist, marine biologist, zoologist, evolutionist, philosopher and artist Ernst Haeckel.
In this Ocean luminaire series (Sea Urchin, Cake Urchin, Seafoam), I blend the beguiling transparency of porcelain with slip cast delicacy to create warmth and light.
Sea Urchins, known as the echidnas of the sea, are spiky echinoderms with a vulnerable centre. The urchin’s shell or test with its five-fold symmetry has captivated artists and beachcombers over the centuries, including Aristotle who described the anatomy of Sea Urchins in his History of Animals. In fact, the ancient lamps of his time are named Aristotle’s Lantern based on the Sea Urchin shape.
Sea Urchins are important herbivores in a healthy marine ecosystem. They feed on seaweeds which provide crucial food and habitat for hundreds of species and support unique marine biodiversity. Seaweed forests also sequester immense amounts of atmospheric carbon making these humble algae critical agents in combating global warming.
Rising sea temperatures affect the seaweed population which in turn can have a detrimental cascading effect on the entire marine ecosystem. The Sea Urchin light represents the importance of balance within an ecosystem. The Seafoam light is inspired by the churn, foam and lapping of waves upon sand and sandstone. Seafoam represents the sensation of lightness and freedom.
Technical details: The lamps are plugged into a general power outlet or power board. The luminaires can either be hung on a wall or displayed on a plinth/sideboard. For Gallery purposes, display involves a thin cord running from the work to a power outlet. (Installation within a home can be the same set up or be directly connected into a wall by a licensed electrician.) All electrical components comply with the Essential safety requirements for Australia and New Zealand AS/NZS 3820, AS/NZS 60598.1 Luminaires, AS/NZS 60598.2.1 Luminaires. The lamps have been quality tested and tagged by an electrician.
Shipping:
Artwork is available for collection or shipping after the closing date of the exhibition, August 17th 2025.
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