Info — Em Frank

INFO

I am a multidisciplinary artist currently based on Kaurna Yarta. At its core, my practice is motivated by the collaborative and community building aspects of art making, along with a compulsion to tinker and play. Working in ceramics as a primary medium, my practice extends across drawing, painting, mixed media and assemblage, with a proclivity for discarded and broken materials.

Over the last decade, I have worked as a facilitator, technician and collaborator with Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra, Arrernte and Martu people on all sorts of art projects including ceramics, painting, fibre art, printing, resource development, and stop animation.

Usually based in Mparntwe, I am currently living in Tarndanya while undertaking the Jam Factory Ceramics Associateship. I am also working with Ku Arts as a project manager, teaching ceramics at Adelaide College of the Arts, and facilitating remote art projects with Tjanpi Desert Weavers in the APY Lands.

CONTACT

emjfrank@gmail.com
@em___frank
Mparntwe / Tarndanya

Contact me via email for commissions or enquiries

STOCKISTS

Jam Factory
Art Gallery of South Australia
Household
Craft Victoria

CV

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EDUCATION + TRAINING

2024 – 2025 Associate Program, JamFactory Ceramics, Adelaide SA
2022 – 2024 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs NT
2015 – 2020 Certificate IV in Visual Arts, (M) Ceramics, Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs NT
2020 Metal Arc Welding + Gas Metal Arc Welding (Short Course), Centre for Appropriate Technology, Alice Springs NT
2020 Operate and Maintain a Chainsaw (Short Course), Centre for Appropriate Technology, Alice Springs NT
2008 – 2012 Bachelor of International Studies, (Ms) Aboriginal Studies and Political Science, University of Sydney, NSW

SELECTED EMPLOYMENT

2025 – Ongoing Ceramics Co-Manager, Iwiri Arts, Port Adelaide, SA
2024 – Ongoing Project Manager, Ku Arts, Adelaide, SA
2019 – Ongoing Creative Development (fibre art / sculpture), Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Alice Springs NT + APY Lands SA
2019 – Ongoing Illustration and design, education resources, NPY Women’s Council, Alice Springs NT
2023 Arrernte Curatorial Committee Mentor, Children’s Ground Exhibition, Watch This Space, Alice Springs NT
2021 – 2023 Ceramics Technician, Ernabella Arts, Pukatja SA, and Hermannsburg Potters, Ntaria NT
2018 – 2019 Project Coordination and Arts Facilitation, Children’s Ground Resource Development Program, Alice Springs NT
2014 – 2019 Studio Coordinator and Remote Arts Facilitator (Screen printing and painting):
Martumili Artists, East Pilbara, WA
Iwantja Arts and Mimili Maku Arts, APY Lands, SA
Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art, Ngaanyatjarra Lands, WA + NT
Tangentyere Council, Alice Springs NT
Children’s Ground, Alice Springs, NT
TEACHING

2024 – 2025 Diploma of Visual Arts (Ceramics), Adelaide College of the Arts, TafeSA, Adelaide SA
2022 – 2023 Certificate II Visual Arts (Ceramics), Charles Darwin University, Alice Springs NT
2021 – 2023 Community classes (Ceramics), Central Craft, Alice Springs NT
2021 – 2023 Private lessons (Ceramics), Alice Springs NT

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2025 HARD, ceramics, metal and lighting, Melbourne Design Week, Melbourne Vic
2025 Three Makers You Should Know, ceramics and metal, Craft Victoria, Melbourne VIC
2024 Earthbound, ceramics and metal, Atelier Antifragile, Adelaide SA
2024 Jaded but Joyful, ceramics, Atelier Antifragile, Adelaide SA
2024 Lush: South Australian Botanicals, ceramics and metal, JamFactory, Barossa Valley SA
2023 Call and Response, ceramics Raft Artspace, Alice Springs NT
2023 Plating, ceramics and cake, Watch This Space, Alice Springs NT
2023 Mutants, ceramics, works on perspex, collage, Tactile Arts, Darwin NT
2021 Heatwork, ceramics, Watch This Space, Alice Springs NT

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

2020 – 2023 Studio Artist and Coordinator, Bath House Studios, Alice Springs NT
2022 Project Coordinator, Mugs on Mugs (Community Fundraiser Exhibition), Australian Ceramics Triennale, Alice Springs NT
2019 – 2020 Board Member, Watch This Space ARI, Alice Springs NT
2013 – 2021 Coordinator and Performer, The Bilbies Art Collective, Art Installation and Performance, Alice Springs NT

RESIDENCIES + GRANTS

2024 Tactile Arts Residency with Tarzan Jungle Queen, Darwin NT
2023 NT Arts Projects Grant – Emerging Artists, Alice Springs NT
2020 Pottery Apprenticeship with Suvira McDonald, Goonengerry NSW

STOCKISTS

Craft Victoria Melbourne, https://shop.craft.org.au/
JamFactory Adelaide and Barossa Valley, , https://shop.jamfactory.com.au/
AGSA Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide, https://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/visit/gallery-store/
Household Adelaide, https://www.householdpresents.com/

AWARDS

2024 Finalist, Melbourne Ikebana Container Award, Abbotsford Convent, VIC

PUBLICATIONS

April 2024 The Journal of Australian Ceramics, Vol 63 No 1
Nov 2022 The Journal of Australian Ceramics, Vol 61 No 3
July 2019 The Journal of Australian Ceramics, Vol 58 No 2
April 2020 The Journal of Australian Ceramics, Vol 59 No 1

Living and labouring on Kaurna Yarta

@em___frank