Debbie Pryor is a multi disciplinary artist and arts worker living and making on Ngankiparinga land, South Australia. Material exploration and craft processes are the focus of her practice.
As an arts worker 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, The Australian Ceramics Association, and Helpmann Academy. 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.
CONTACT: debbieannpryor(at)gmail(dot)com
cv
2024 Program Manager Helpmann Academy (SA)
2023 - 2024 CEO The Australian Ceramics Association (national)
2019 Exhibition Team Leader, Australian Pavilion, La Biennale di Venezia, Creative Australia (Venice, Italy)
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
Hahndorf Academy Board Member
The Australian Ceramics Association Board Member
World Crafts Council Australia Board Member
Bluestone Collection President
Firstdraft Board of Directors
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
Independant Curatorial
2019 Incidental reminders of resplendent moments; the permanence of objects co-curated with Hannah Presley, Mailbox Artspace (VIC)
2019 Argillaceous Relations co-curated with Hannah Presley, Mr Kitly - details HERE (VIC)
2017 Every Second Feels Like A Century co-curated with Hannah Presley, West Space - details HERE (VIC)
2016 Hero Worship co-curated with Hannah Presley, Craft Victoria (VIC)
Details of curatorial and exhibition management projects as part of an institutional shown role on ‘Curatorial & Arts Work’ page
Exhibition
2024 Relational Responses, residency and exhibition with Christine Cholewa, Sauerbier House (SA)
2023 Grounded, group exhibition curated by Lesa Farrant for the Nature Festival, Harvest Studio + Botanical Cemetery, McLaren Vale (SA)