Presenting paintings on porcelain at Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead

Roses on a vase by Chris Chamberlain. Picture: SUPPLIED

By Callum Ludwig

The latest exhibition in the gallery at the Mont de Lancey Historic Homestead has brought together the works of artists across the state.

The Victorian branch of the Australasian Porcelain Art Teachers is holding its biennial display of plates, vases and other porcelain products until 30 November.

Member of the Australasian Porcelain Art Teachers Chris Chamberlain said all the pieces are hand-painted on white porcelain before being fired in a kiln.

“You can paint anything on porcelain, just as you would paint on canvas or anything else, there’s flowers and there’s animals, birds, portraits and a vast range of different styles,” she said.

“You can paint so many different shaped pieces from plates to vases and boxes, there is no limit, whatever you can get in white porcelain you can paint on.”

Other styles on show include traditional, European, scenes and stylised designs that feature pen work, textures and lustres.

Nine members chose to exhibit, with the committee of the group in charge of setting up and returning all pieces after the conclusion of the exhibition.

Ms Chamberlain said it is a very challenging but rewarding medium.

“Painting on porcelain is a slower process as it has to be fired several times to complete a piece, it’s a gradual build-up of colour so that in the firing the paint fuses with the glaze on the porcelain,” she said.

“Our classes are usually small but they’re friendly and the students create a bond and motivate each other to try different things and different techniques such as texture as well as painting,”

“It’s great because in the end you can use what you make, or they make great gifts, I’ve even painted several pieces that have been presented to somebody as a prize.”

All exhibitors each the art form in their own classes, with Ursula Liebl even taking the time to hold a demonstration at Mont De Lancey on 10 November, showcasing how she does her European-inspired painting.