Kevin White and Sergei Shatrov unite in A Fork in the Road to offer an exploration of ceramic works, blending their unique perspectives and global influences into a cohesive dialogue of form, material, and process.
Kevin White is an internationally celebrated ceramic artist, whose education spans both England and Japan. In 1978, he was awarded the prestigious Japanese Ministry of Education (Monbusho) scholarship, studying under the late Professor Yutaka Kondo at Kyoto City University of Fine Arts. His career includes three years in the Kyoto studio of Satoshi Sato, a key figure in the Sodeisha group of contemporary ceramic artists. White completed his Master of Arts at the Royal College of Art in London in 1985 and spent 30 years teaching at RMIT University, where he later served as Adjunct Professor from 2016 to 2022. He has been a studio artist at Montsalvat since 2019.
White’s current work continues his deep engagement with interpreting the ceramic traditions of Japan, as well as the influence of Japanism in 19th-century British ceramics. His recent creations integrate abstract patterns, geometric reserves, and decals, carefully organised on the vessel’s surface to explore spatial relationships in a formal yet dynamic manner.
Sergei Shatrov began his journey with ceramics at Cooma TAFE NSW in 1993 before advancing to the Australian National University’s Canberra School of Arts, where he studied under noted mentors such as Janet De Boos, Anita Macintyre, Hiroe Swen, and Greg Daly. His career has spanned across studios in Seto, Japan, Minnesota, Northern California, and North Carolina, deeply influenced by Asian traditions and philosophies. Shatrov is an advocate for exploring the self through the beauty and function of form, and as the manager of Montsalvat’s Claytalk Ceramic Centre, he continues to inspire artists of all levels.
Shatrov’s work reflects his passion for natural and Australian native materials, using multiple wood firings to shape forms that feel timeless and deeply personal. His pieces from the Monastery Collection embody a sense of continuity and discovery, blending form and technique in a way that honours both tradition and innovation.
Together, White and Shatrov’s works create an interconnected narrative that celebrates the diversity of ceramic traditions while embracing a shared spirit of experimentation. Their individual approaches—rooted in global influences and personal experiences—merge in this exhibition to form a unified yet multifaceted exploration of ceramic art.
As Heraclitus said, "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man."
Image: Kevin White, Lattice, 2024, h.23.0cm.w.19.0cm
Montsalvat
7 Hillcrest Ave
Eltham VIC 3095
T: 03 9439 7712
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Concessions: $10
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The Public Galleries Association of Victoria (PGAV) acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands where our office is located, and all Traditional Owners of country throughout Victoria and Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples enduring traditions and continuing creative cultures. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
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