Trained in ceramics and glass, Debbie Pryor is a Kaurna Yerta / Adelaide based artist, curator and writer. She has worked across Adelaide, Sydney and Victoria since 2000; running galleries and programs at key craft and design institutions such as JamFactory, Object (now Australian Design Centre), Powerhouse Museum, Firstdraft, Craft, Guildhouse and The Australian Ceramics Association. She was President of the Bluestone Collection and Vice President of Northcity4 and has sat on the Boards of Hahndorf Academy and The Australian Ceramics Association. Debbie’s artistic practice includes object and mark making in ceramics, plaster and concrete, in addition to writing and curating.
CONTACT: debbieannpryor(at)gmail(dot)com
cv
2023 - 2024 CEO The Australian Ceramics Association (national)
2018 - 2023 Artistic Programs Manager Guildhouse (SA)
2016 - 2018 Ceramics Handbuilding Tutor Northcote Pottery Supplies (VIC)
2016 - 2018 Education and Comms Coordinator Northcote Pottery Supplies (VIC)
2012 – 2016 Gallery Curator Craft Victoria (VIC)
2009– 2011 Producer/Sydney Design Festival Powerhouse Museum (NSW)
2009 – 2010 Gallery Director DABLAB (Design, Architecture and Building), University of Technology, Sydney (NSW)
2009 - 2010 International Conference Manager New Interfaces for Musical Expression++, University of Technology, Sydney (NSW)
2010 – 2012 Gallery Director Firstdraft (NSW)
2009 - 2010 Gallery Director Metalab (NSW)
2007 – 2009 Exhibitions Manager Object Gallery (NSW)
2007 International Exhibition Coordinator Australian Contemporary/Collect-Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK)
2004 Internship Powerhouse Museum (NSW) with Glynis Jones Fashion Curator
2004 - 2005 Tour Manager Guildhouse (formerly Craft South)
2001 – 2007 Gallery Manager JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design, Adelaide, SA
BOARD ACTIVITY
current - The Australian Ceramics Association
current - Hahndorf Academy (SA)
Jan 2020 - World Crafts Council, Australia Board Member
March 2015 - Dec 2016 Bluestone Collection President (Melb) www.bluestonecollection.org
Jan 2014 - Dec 2016 Northcity4 Operational Board and Management Board (Melb) www.northcity4.com
Jan 2016 - currentLanguage of Labour Founder and Editor languageoflabour.com
Jan 2009 – Dec 2010 Firstdraft Board of Directors (Syd) www.firstdraft.org.au
Selected Commissioned writing
2022
Aura, a moment eternal, catalogue essay. Louise Meuwissen solo, Mars Gallery (VIC)
2021
Folding into the known, Primavera catalogue essay. Sam Gold, Museum of Contemporary Art (SYD)
2018
Till the end of time, catalogue essay. Hold: To hold still. To contain. To hold dear. Jess Dare and Amanda Dziedzic. Museum of Economic Botany, Adelaide, Australia (SA)
2016
I am a sentient being, catalogue essay for Stuck in the Mud curated by Madeleine Preston at Verge Galley (SYD)
Grow Your Own, catalogue essay for Grow Your Own exhibition at CraftACT (ACT)
2015
Language of Labour, founder and editor. A new website dedicated to promoting and fostering writing within the Australian craft industry. Understanding the Crafted Object, Craft in Context through Culture Victoria
Solitary Shade catalogue/Andrei Davidoff solo exhibition at Vauclaus House, Sydney Living Museums (formally Sydney Heritage Trust).
2012
(inside) magazine, interview with Faye Toogood, Toogood Studios, London, UK