The windows of Hali’s showroom on Church St, Richmond will be transformed from a rug gallery into an art gallery between 13–27 May as part of Melbourne Design Week 2025. Surfacing is an exhibition of new work by emerging ceramic artist Alexandra Howie, presented by Amy Voterakis in collaboration with HALI Rugs.
Howie’s debut solo exhibition features a series of hand-built ceramic vessels inspired by the carved marble drapery of Classical and Hellenistic sculpture. Archetypal forms are overlaid with hand-sculpted clay, meticulously refined using a scalpel and burnisher before being glazed—rendering each vessel as if swathed in folded fabric and wet drapery. These distinctive works resonate with both tradition and innovation, drawing on historical references while evoking themes of culture and ritual.
Image: Alexandra Howie (left) and Amy Voterakis in Howie's studio with works in progress for Surfacing. Photo Credit: Brent Lukey
“Surfacing is a tribute to the concept of emergence,” says Howie. “There is a ritual in this process—a quiet, deliberate practice of shaping, folding, and refining. Each piece is a vessel, not just of form but of experience—holding memory, emotion, and the imprint of time and touch. The vessels stand as both object and metaphor, embodying the idea that we, too, hold and contain our own narratives, histories, and transformations.”
For Amy Voterakis, Surfacing marks her much-anticipated return to the Melbourne design scene as an independent curator, following her 14-year tenure as Creative Director of the now-closed Melbourne institution Modern Times.
“I’m thrilled to partner with HALI for Melbourne Design Week,” she says. “For me, it’s all about sharing the work of exciting artists and designers. To put on this exhibition in such a high-profile location and share it with the HALI audience and beyond is a privilege. It’s fantastic that HALI sees the value in supporting emerging artists and participating in Australia’s leading annual design festival. Not to mention, the backdrop of stunning textiles complements Howie’s work to perfection!”
Join the artist for an opening reception:
Saturday 17 May, 2–4pm,
HALI, 492 Church St, Richmond.
Exhibition dates 13th - 27th May.
Surfacing is presented as part of Melbourne Design Week 2025, an initiative of the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. Check out the MDW program, Australia's largest and leading design festival, for 350+ events, talks, exhibitions and installations.
