Petrus Spronk
During my travels in the seventies I stayed and studied, for a period of time, with the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico. One night the medicine man, pointing at the first moon, setting like a silver bowl on the horizon, told me that they call that stage of the moon ‘The Receiver’. At that very moment I instinctively knew that I would spend time making Receivers/bowls from clay. I have done so ever since. Simple and strong work.
However, Life is not always so straight forward. When during the late eighties, as a result of the recession, making an income from ceramics became difficult, I, literally, took to the streets and created ‘Architectural Fragment’, in Swanston Street. Plus more minor public works since. However I retain a strong soul connection with clay and the making of Bowls. I will continue to do so. It is where I maintain my centre and sense of self.
Petrus Spronk, 2006.
Petrus Spronk’s ceramic work takes us on a journey of stillness and meditation. Over the years, he has embarked upon a creative process that has since become a life occupation. The strongest aspect of his work is its connection with nature. As viewers we become witness to varied creative processes that span many cultures and aesthetic dimensions. Through his practice Petrus wishes to offer a natural intensity and quietness to create aspects of healing within our culture.
Biography
Petrus Spronk has been creating sculptural work since the early 1970s. During the late 1960s he graduated from the South Australian School of Arts with a Post Graduate qualification including majors in sculpture, ceramics and minors in design and photography. Over the past four decades Spronk has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Dublin, Italy, Japan and Korea. In 1998 he was a finalist in the Deacons, Graham & James/Arts 21 Award, at the Ian Potter Museum of Art. Spronk has realised many public commissions. Selected works include a Benalla City Council ceramic sculpture; two works for the Jewish Museum, Melbourne; public sculpture for the Covent Gallery Gardens, Daylesford and the well-known blue stone sculpture, Architectural Fragment, for Swanston Walk situated in front of the State Library of Victoria. In 2004 he was commissioned to create a bowl for his Holiness The Dalai Lama.
Petrus Spronk’s work is represented in many renowned public, corporate and private collections nationally and internationally including Artbank; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; Melbourne City Council; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; New Parliament House, Canberra; Art Gallery of Queensland, Brisbane; the Australian Embassy Collection, Japan and Korea and the Contemporary Museum of Art, Honolulu, Hawai.
