Exploration of Ecology in Clay

The Exploration of Ecology in Clay project used clay as an artistic medium to create habitats for local endangered species affected by climate change and habitat loss.

The project empowered students to learn about the environment, biodiversity, and their responsibility as stewards of the planet while engaging in creative processes.

The artistic team—Cat Bailey, Barry Tate, Diana Kraft, and the students—worked closely with experts in bat and bird ecology to design potential habitat forms that could support the survival of these endangered species, both now and in the future.

Ecologists from DEECA, MossWood Wildlife, Glenelg Shire, Victoria Zoos, and Nature Glenelg Trust visited the school to educate students about the region's endangered species, such as the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Southern Bent Wing Bat, koalas, and other small mammals.

The design of these habitats was carefully considered, and clay was used to create sculptural habitat installations, which were then replicated using 3D technology.

Project Successes

• Explore Environmental Themes Through Art- Use clay to creatively address habitat loss affecting local endangered species like bats, parrots, and small mammals.
• Build Artistic and Technical Skills- Develop skills in clay techniques and gained understanding of material chemistry, engineering, and glaze firing through hands-on experimentation.
• Support Collaborative, Inquiry-Based Learning- Facilitate collaboration between students, artists, ecologists, and fabricators to explore ecological challenges through creative inquiry.
• Encourage Creative Thinking and Resilience- Promote risk-taking and learning through failure, helping students reflect, iterate, and grow creatively.
• Engage Community and Experts- Involve ecologists, biologists, and local partners to ensure ecological accuracy and strengthen community connections.
• Foster Environmental Stewardship- Inspire awareness and action around conservation and sustainability through the creation of lasting, purpose-driven artworks.
• Blend Traditional and Emerging Technologies- Combine ceramic techniques with 3D printing to prototype sustainable, low-carbon habitat structures.
• Create Public Arts- Display student-created habitat designs in a public exhibition, sharing artistic and environmental messages with the community.
• Drive Artistic Innovation- Pioneered new art forms through interdisciplinary responses to habitat loss and ecological change.
• Integrate Across Curriculum Areas- Engage students in Design and Technology, Science, Geography, and The Arts through a unified, real-world learning project.

 

Creative techniques

We learnt:

• Pinching: Creating forms by pressing and shaping clay between the fingers.
• Coiling: Building up forms by rolling out long, thin ropes of clay and layering them.
• Joining pieces of clay: smoothing and scratching, using water to join pieces
• Slip and Score: joining clay pieces together by roughening the surfaces and applying a liquid clay mixture (slip).
• Slabs: Cutting and shaping flat slabs of clay to create walls, bases, or other flat components that are then joined together to form three-dimensional objects.
• Wheel throwing: Shaping clay on a rotating wheel, a more advanced technique for creating symmetrical forms.
• Glazing:
• Applying a layer of glass-forming materials to the surface of the clay to create a decorative or functional finish.

Appreciations

We thank:

Brian Haywood (Nature Glenelg Trust)

Joshua Pierce and Mike Risk (Glenelg Shire)

Chris Vella (Victoria Zoos)

Tracey Wilson (MossWood)

Ethan DeLuc (DEECA)

Darcy Holmes

Leroy Malseed (GMTOAC)

Lauren Kivisalu (ecologist)

Jaspers Buslines

Zeal3D printing

and most importantly,

Creative Victoria