Alexandra Howie – Surfacing, Opens May 13th

Alex Howie – Surfacing, 13th-27th May, Hali Rugs, 492 Church St, Richmond
Opening Event – 2-4pm Saturday 17th May

The windows of Hali’s showroom in Church St will be transformed from rug gallery to art gallery between 13th - 27th May as part Melbourne Design Week 2025. Amy Voterakis, in collaboration with HALI Rugs, presents Surfacing, an exhibition of new work by emerging ceramic artist Alexandra Howie.  

Alexandra Howie in her studio with works in progress. Photography by Brent Lukey

Howie describes her debut solo exhibition, Surfacing, “as a tribute to the concept of emergence”. “There is a ritual in this process—a quiet, deliberate practice of shaping, folding, and refining. Each piece is a vessel, not just of form but of experience—holding memory, emotion, and the imprint of time and touch. The vessels stand as both object and metaphor, embodying the idea that we, too, hold and contain our own narratives, histories, and transformations”, she explains.

Developmental sketches and work prior to firing. Photography by Brent Lukey

Howie’s series of hand-built vessels are inspired by the sculpted marble drapery of classical and Hellenistic sculpture. Archetypal forms are overlaid with hand-sculpted clay, meticulously attended to with scalpel and burnisher, then glazed, to render the forms as if swathed in folded fabric and wet-drapery. Her distinctive work resonates with both tradition and innovation, integrating rich historical references with intimations of culture and ritual.

Alex and Amy during a studio visit in the lead up to Surfacing . Photography by Brent Lukey

For presenter Amy Voterakis, this exhibition marks her debut back on the Melbourne design scene, now as independent curator, following her 14-year tenure as Creative Director of the now-closed Melbourne institution Modern Times. “I’m thrilled to partner with Hali for Melbourne Design Week. For me, it’s all about sharing the work of exciting artists and designers, so to put on this exhibition in a high profile location and share it with the Hali audience and beyond is a privilege. It’s fantastic that Hali sees the value in supporting emerging artists and  participating in Australia’s leading annual design festival. Not to mention, the backdrop of stunning textiles complements Howie’s work to perfection!” Amy explains.

Surfacing is part of Melbourne Design Week 2025, an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.