Cathy Franzi
“The subject of my work stems from doing what I love, that is to be in nature, and plants are my particular fascination.”
- Cathy Franzi
Dr Cathy Franzi is an award-winning ceramic artist and lecturer whose work explores the intersection of science and art by drawing on her deep engagement with Australian native flora. She initially trained in science, graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Sydney, before going on to complete a Master of Visual Arts and a practice-led PhD in Visual Arts (Ceramics) at the Australian National University. Her doctoral research project, 'An Australian Botanical Narrative', examined how Australian flora and environmental knowledge could be translated into ceramic forms and surface imagery.
Drawing on botanical fieldwork, archival research and collaborations with institutions such as the Australian National Herbarium, the National Seed Bank and the ANU Research School of Biology, Dr Franzi transforms scientific observation into exquisitely detailed porcelain vessels. Using techniques including sgraffito, stencil and inlaid ink, she creates intricate botanical imagery that preserves the stories of threatened species and celebrates the diversity of Australian plant life.
She has presented over sixteen solo exhibitions and participated in more than thirty group shows in Australia and internationally. Her work is held in significant public collections, including the Parliament House Art Collection, the Shepparton Art Museum, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and the Grassi Museum of Applied Arts in Leipzig. Having been recognised with numerous awards, including being Highly Commended in the 2020 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize and winning the People’s Choice Award at the 2021 Klytie Pate Ceramics Award, Franzi continues to influence the field through both her studio practice and her role as a lecturer at ANU’s School of Art & Design.
Image: Janelle Petersen
About the Artist
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Lives and works in Canberra, ACT
Education
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Art, Australian National University, Canberra — An Australian botanical narrative: a practice-led enquiry into representations of Australian flora on the ceramic vessel as an expression of environmental culture
Master of Visual Arts, School of Art, Australian National University, Canberra
Bachelor of Science, University of Sydney
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Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023
Where the River Flows, Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT
Coast to Coast, Sabbia Gallery, Redfern NSW
On the Edge / am Rande, Michael Reid Berlin & Berlin Design Week, Berlin Germany2022
Wild Flora, Michael Reid Berlin, Berlin Germany
Verdant, Sabbia Gallery, Redfern NSW
High Country, Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT2020
Natural Affinity, Sabbia Gallery, Redfern NSW2019
Seven Mountains and a Lake, Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT
In the Field, Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens, Hobart TAS
Coastal: Botanical, Narek Galleries, Tanja NSW2018
a visit to the river, Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT
Inflorescence, Sabbia Gallery, Paddington NSW2016
On the Nature of Things, Sabbia Gallery, Paddington NSW2015
Islands & Corridors, School of Art Gallery, Australian National University, Canberra ACT
Wonder & Loss, Narek Galleries, Tanja NSW2014
The Arid Zone, CraftACT: Craft and Design Centre Crucible, Canberra ACT2013
Painting the Hills of Canberra, CraftACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra ACT
Selected Group Exhibitions
2024
Takaramono for Kurimono, Biome Kobe, Japan2023
Florescence, Sturt Gallery, Mittagong NSW
Finalist, Klytie Pate Ceramic Award, Mansfield Arts, Mansfield VIC2022
Finalist, Clunes Ceramic Award, Union Bank Arts Centre, Clunes VIC
Small Works, Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT2021
Little Wonders, Schaller Gallery, Baroda Michigan USA
CO:LAB and Transformation, CraftACT: Craft + Design Centre, Canberra ACT
Finalist, Muswellbrook Art Prize, Muswellbrook Regional Arts Centre, NSW
Finalist, Stanthorpe Art Prize, Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery, QLD
Finalist, Klytie Pate Ceramics Exhibition and Award, Arts Mansfield, VIC
The Study, Sabbia Gallery, Redfern NSW2020
Finalist, Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, South Australian Museum, Adelaide SA
National Archives, Canberra ACT
Small Works, Beaver Galleries, Canberra ACT
Finalist, Biennial North Queensland Ceramic Award, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville QLD
Autumnal Colours, Jam Factory at Seppeltsfield, SA
Seeds from the Bank, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra ACT2019
Art of Threatened Species, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo NSW
Endemic Earth, Kingborough Civic Centre, Kingston TAS
Presenter’s Exhibition, The Australian Ceramics Triennale, Hobart TAS
Drawings – Ceramic Masters 2019, Sabbia Gallery, Paddington NSW2018
Wild: Flora and Fauna in Australian Art, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Windsor NSW
Cultivate: Inspired by Nature, Sturt Gallery, Mittagong NSW
Celebration: 20 Years of Collecting Visual Art at CMAG, Canberra Museum & Gallery2017
Lines of Site: Finding the Sublime in Canberra, M16 ArtSpace, Canberra ACT
Finalist, Clunes Ceramic Award, Union Bank Arts Centre, Clunes VIC
Finalist, Ravenswood Australian Women’s Art Prize, Ravenswood School, Gordon NSW
50 Vessels, Suncoast Clayworkers, Nambour QLD
Naturally Yours, School of Art & Design Gallery, Australian National University, Canberra ACT
Artist-in-Residence Exhibition, CraftACT: Craft and Design Centre, Canberra ACT
Vice Chancellor’s College Artists Fellows Scheme, School of Art, Australian National University, Canberra ACT
Finalist, Klytie Pate Ceramics Exhibition, Arts Council of Mansfield, VIC
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Awards
2021
CraftACT: Craft + Design, CoLab: Architectural Design Mentorship Program
People’s Choice Award, Klytie Pate Ceramics Award, Mansfield VIC2020
Highly Commended, Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize2018
Open Award, Ignition Awards for Ceramic Excellence, Nambour QLD2017
Highly Commended, Clunes Ceramic Award, Clunes VIC
People’s Choice Award, Klytie Pate Ceramics Award, Mansfield VIC2016
Walker Ceramics Award, Canberra Potters’ Society Annual Exhibition ACT
300g Award, Ignition Ceramic Awards, Maroochy Botanical Gardens, QLD
Scott Brickworks Acquisitive Award, Biennial North Queensland Ceramic Awards2013
CraftACT: Craft and Design Award, Canberra Potters’ Society Annual Exhibition2012
Doug Alexander Award, Canberra Potters’ Society Annual Exhibition2010
Tertiary Student Award, Canberra Potters’ Society Annual Exhibition2009
Tertiary Student Award, Canberra Potters’ Society Annual Exhibition
ANU School of Art Nelson Nichols Scholarship in Ceramics
Residencies
2023
Vancouver Arts Centre, Albany WA2022
The Centre for Ceramics, Berlin Germany2018–2019
Art of Threatened Species Project, NSW Office of Heritage & Environment2018
Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle WA2016
ANU Vice-Chancellor’s College Artist Fellows Scheme, Research School of Biology
CraftACT: Craft and Design Centre, Gudgenby Readycut Cottage, Namadgi National Park ACT
Bundanon Trust, Illaroo NSW
Acquisitions
Grassi Museum of Applied Arts, Leipzig Germany; Canberra Museum and Gallery; Tasmanian Museum & Art Gallery; Parliament House Art Collection; Manly Art Gallery & Museum; Shepparton Art Museum; Art Gallery of Ballarat; Australian National University Art Collection; ACT Legislative Assembly Art Collection; Canberra Centenary Time Capsule; Research School of Biology, Australian National University; University of Wollongong Faculty of Creative Arts Collection; Ceramic Study Group Inc., Sydney
15.7 x 24 x 17.8cm